A new exhibition “celebrating black women” has been launched in Peckham this week (14 March) – it went down a storm.
The “Black He(art)” exhibition, which opened at Peckham Levels this week, is the brainchild of 27-year-old Anisa Howell, a self-described “creative” who “wouldn’t go so far as to call herself an artist” and Peckham girl born and bred.
Anisa described the exhibition as an opportunity for young black artists to jump-start their careers by getting exposure for their work, while networking with one another.
“My goal is to help black art be accessible to the community and help black talent be seen,” she said. “We often have a lot less opportunities.”
Anisa initially planned to exhibit only Southwark-based artists, yet soon extended this to London and then the UK, after her call-out received an overwhelming response.
Ketachi Uba-Ifegwu, whose digital prints were exhibited at the event, described her work as “a love letter to black women to celebrate how beautiful we are in a world where we are not often celebrated.”
As the 22-year-old from Hertfordshire’s first exhibition, Ketachi said this event was “really encouraging” and gave her the “self-belief” to put more artwork out there.
“Everyone should be considered no matter how big their platform is,” she said. “There is so much talent out there that just does not have the platform.”
Another artist at the exhibition, Belle Suga, 22, from Hackney, saw the exhibition as purposefully challenging the negative stereotypes about race, which “we can get bogged down in”, and instead putting forward something more positive.
“A lot of people expect a message about struggle, history or colonialism from black artists. My work is a celebration of a world I want to live in.”
“It reflects what I see in my life: black women in normal situations, like in the home or cooking, rather than being politicised.”
Anisa “saw the need” for her project, after organising an exhibition for Black History Month last year.
“I know it sounds like I might be dreaming a big dream, but I feel like something like this is truly needed.”
“The art industry favours people from privileged backgrounds. Only certain types of people are allowed to get through, but art should be open to all,” she added.
This was important Anisa believed so that everyone could “learn more” about one another and see the “immense contribution” that black culture and art has to offer to wider society.
“Cutting a long story short”, the idea to create the exhibition was sparked by Anisa viewing the struggles of her friends as they tried to establish themselves as artists.
“I heard from a lot of mates how hard it is to make a break in the art world”, says Anisa. “I thought we had to change that.”
Anisa was also scathing of what she saw as “tokenistic” exposure for black and ethnic minority artists at mainstream galleries.
“It is like they understand the need to promote diversity, without really caring.”
“Black artists are used, rather than valued for what they can contribute.”
“Fundamentally, the art industry has thrived of black creatives, but they do not get the appreciation they deserve,” she added.
Anisa’s road to becoming a curator began during childhood when she taught herself how to sow and paint, although she still “couldn’t draw to save her life”.
But for Anisa this project was just the start.
“I feel like I am Google, but twenty times over,” she said.
“I eat, dream and breath creativity. I am going to sleep and dreaming of new projects.”
The artwork of 12 “exceptionally talented” black women will be on display at Peckham levels until the 9th of April.
Ketachi Uba-Ifegwu’s work can be viewed here.
Belle Suga’s work can be viewed here.