Week 1: Introduction to ‘Black British Art’ 

We will begin by considering what the term ‘Black British Art’ means; reflecting on how the term has been defined and how well these definitions hold for current conversations about the work produced by Black British artists. We will have a brief look at Black British art practice across the generations, starting with those emerging in the 1950s to the present day; from the pioneering immigrant artists from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, to the successive generations of self-identifying ‘Black’ artists practicing in the 70s and 80s, into the 90s and 00s, finishing with a consideration of those who have emerged and gained prominence during the decade of Instagram. Finally, we consider a few landmark exhibitions featuring Black British art and speculate on new curatorial possibilities.

Read: Get Up, Stand Up Now: Black British art's response to the Windrush scandal

Watch: Paul Goodwin in discussion artists Appau Junior Boakye-Yiadom and Ima-Abasi Okon

Listen: Free Thinking: The influence of the British Black Art movement

Reflect: What is Black British Art to you? How useful is this term?  Choose an exhibition that has best captured the ‘spirit’ of Black British art for you.

Slide 34
Michael Armitage Kudzanai-Violet Hwami
Adelaide Damoah
Ima Abasi Okon
Thomas J Price
Larry Aponsah
Jenn Nkiru
Helen Cammock
Jade Fadojutimi
Enam Gbewonyo

Slide 35
Larry Achiampong
Rachel Jones
Joy Labinjo
Sowusu
Grace Wales Bonner
Somaya Critchlow
Campbell Addy
Rayvenn Shaleigha D'Clarke
Joy Miessi

Week 2: Exploring the Practice of Painting and Drawing by Black British artists

This week we will look at the practice of painting and drawing by Black British artists. We will consider the way that selected artists, from different generations, have employed these mediums to express their theories, thoughts and feelings about socio-political history, identity, body politics, intimacy, family, place, spirituality, life, death and more. We will also discuss a range of approaches to painting and drawing, considering the significance of ‘the art making process’, materiality, colour and style. 


Read: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Speaking through Painting

Watch: Hurvin Anderson: reporting back

Listen: Jadé Fadojutimi on Talk Art

Reflect: What is your favourite painting and/or drawing by a Black British artist and why?

Week 3: The Power of Installation and Sculpture

This week we will consider the historical contributions of Black artists to the appreciation of sculpture and installation in contemporary British Art. We will discuss and compare the creative approaches of selected artists including Fowokan, PJ Harper, Evan Ifekoya, Barby Asante, Michael McMillan, Sokari Douglas Camp, Ima Abasi Okon, Yinka Shonibare, Irvin Pascal, LR VAndy, Hew Locke Veronica Ryan, Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clarke, Thomas J Price and Zak Ové. We will of course touch on the poignancy of this conversation given the resurgence of the global Black Lives Matter movement, which led to the toppling of the Edward Colston statue.

Read: Evan Ifekoya: Liquid Imagery and the Abundant Legacy of Black Sound

Watch: Interview with George Fowokan Kelly

Listen: The Art of Remembering

Reflect: Consider a sculpture that you would like to see in your local area and reflect on your reasons why. What’s your most memorable experience of an installation work and why?

Week 4: The Rise of Black British Photography and Film

In this final week, we will look at contributions that Black British artists have made to the realms of photography and film over the past 70 years. We will cover different generations of photographers and consider contemporary trends in Black British photography across various domains including social-historical archive, fashion and fine art. We will also address exciting new developments in Black British filmmaking, with reference to pioneers such as Horace Ové, groups like the Black Audio Film Collective and visionary contemporary voices like Jenn Nkiru.