CasildART is proud to present ‘Some Of Us Are Brave’ an exciting exhibition exploring feminine, form and function in art created by Black Women.

The exhibition which opens on 5th July, features the work of nine contemporary artists variously expressing ideas about what it means to be a woman and an artist at this time and explores themes ranging from ecology to sexuality, family and mythmaking.

The exhibition’s title is borrowed from a book of Black feminist theories published in 1982 entitled All the Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave.

The collection of essays was edited by Akasha (Gloria T.) Hull and Patricia Bell and was the first comprehensive writings on the issue of race and gender in the US, covering everything from racism and sexism to the role of Black female artists. It was also one of the first texts to talk about the intersection of class, race and gender as a way of explaining how Black women’s views and experiences were often marginalised in conversations about equality and freedom. The issues covered in the book are still relevant today and, even though Black Women artists are beginning to get the attention they deserve, the exhibition serves to highlight the fact that they have continued to confidently take up space and foreground their lives and stories through an art practice.

Some of us Are Brave – the exhibition is intended to open conversations about how art can provoke, inspire and transform our thinking on a range of issues from artistic language to representation and climate emergency.

’Initiation: Journey into Womanhood’ by Hannah Uzor

Participating artists include Simone Brewster, furniture and jewellery designer, whose Woman in Parts abstract series is an investigation of the female body; visual artist, Hannah Uzor whose portrait of Queen Victoria’s Black goddaughter, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, was recently acquired by English Heritage and abstract artist, Bokani Tshidzu, who appeared in the BBC series, Britain’s Painting Challenge. The exhibition also features Bryony Benge-Abbott’s large-scale compositions which are immersive studies of nature that play with shapes and patterns, and move between symbolism, abstraction and expressionism. Colourful mixed media collages by Onome Otite that weave myths from her Yoruba heritage into intricate textile assemblages. Helena Appio’s  imaginative portraits of women that draw our attention to their importance to family life; and ceramics by Denis Williams that feature irresistible palettes and intriguing forms. Finally, CeCe Philips a young talented, self-taught artist whose bold figurative paintings of ‘everyday people’ are reminiscent of Barkley L Hendricks’ realist portraits of African Americans.

Sukai Eccleston, curator, said

‘I am excited to announce Some of Us Are Brave which features primarily Black British women artists, who are often overlooked, but continue to produce work that is meaningful to them. I hope the works here demonstrate a depth of creative expression that we don’t normally see as well as provide insights into how the feminine and form – both in terms of medium and language – are reflected in their practice, and how we understand the purpose of the work, that is for its practical use, or as a call for cultural uplift, social change or action.’

‘Breonna Taylor’ by Moufouli Bello

CasildART is also partnering with the Mayfair Gallery and Signature African Art to present a stunning portrait entitled ‘Breonna Taylor’ by Moufouli Bello, a multimedia artist from Benin. Breonna Taylor is the young African American woman who was shot in her home by the Louisville police last year. Her subsequent death fuelling the Black Lives Matter protests, which continue today to shine a light on the racial and social injustices Black people experience every day in the UK and USA. All proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to the Taylor family.

The exhibition is at the pop-up J/M Gallery and runs until 11th July. Register to attend here

About CasildART

CasildART produces, curates and hosts exhibitions to showcase the work of contemporary Black artists. It was set up by Sukai Eccleston who worked in the broadcast and media sector before setting up her company in 2019. CasildART aims to find meaningful and disruptive ways to put Black artists in the spotlight and to tell urgent and untold stories that simultaneously challenge perceived notions of Black art and reframe narratives about Black lives and experiences by bringing them to the widest audience possible.

Header Image:  ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ – Homage to Diana Ross by Hannah Uzor (Acrylic and Fabric).