In my previous personal blog, in my attempt to share with you a few of my escapades in the last week, I talked about The Women’s Awards 2024. This was swiftly followed by my attendance at the private view of the new exhibition which features 100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark, curated by Pawlet Brooks Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, on the 1st October to commence Black History Month in the UK.
The idea to create such a powerful archive of Black women of excellence and achievement, to share their stories, vision, and images is to be commended.
My initial involvement in this amazing project was when I was invited by Pawlet Brooks to work with her in deciding on the 100 Black women out of the 700 names that were submitted by the general public. As you will imagine, this was not an easy task with much deliberation having taken place. There are so many other Black women who deserve inclusion, but with the already decided limit of one hundred, a cut-off had to be made. I hope that this is only the beginning of such a project.
It was truly an honour to be in the Leicester Gallery space with all the portraits shining through to us, whilst at the same time seeing the live faces of so many of these women who had travelled across the country to be a part of this viewing and exhibition launch. The experience was awe-inspiring, emotional, and moving. There was an almost tangible electrical energy of pride, empowerment, recognition and motivation that seemed to move from back in the eons of time to enclose us Black women today. There were truly moments when I had to stop and take a breath.
Along with the Serendipity Patron, Pauline Black OBL DL, we had the pleasure of hearing from Mrs. EIvy Morton, who is included in the exhibition and is a highly valued and respected elder in the local Black community. Mrs. Morton spoke of the importance of recognition the power of Black women and also ensuring that we do not forget women across the world who are currently suffering and restricted from education and freedom.
The work of the five young female Black artists who were commissioned to take on the task of creating the portraits of the 100 Black women chosen for the exhibition is outstanding. Speaking with many of the sitters I heard time and again how moved they felt on seeing their portrait, not only because it is indeed an excellent piece of art, but because the artist had listened so intently and was able to transmute the sitters’ thoughts, emotions, feelings and ideas into the portrait. This is phenomenal. The artists are Valerie Asiimwe Amani, Yvadney Davis, Gayle Ebose, Grace Lee, and Lauryn Pinard. Black young women artists producing and creating portraits of 100 Black Women Who Have Made a Mark. Historic!
The 100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark exhibition will run from 1 October 2024 – 4 January 2025 at Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University with an exhibition catalogue of all the portraits available to purchase. The podcast series will be available on all major podcasting platforms. In due course, the portraits will be available to view as part of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage’s Living Archive, alongside a documentary film providing an insight into the creative process and heritage research.
This unique and timely exhibition will bring to light the wealth of contributions by Black women across all areas of society who until now, for the most part, have gone unrecognised in a meaningful way to wider society. Collectively, the portraits celebrate Black women who have made a significant positive change across a diverse range of sectors including activism, arts, education, politics, science, and technology. The portraits each bring a different aesthetic, encapsulating the tenacity, leadership, and invisible power of Black womanhood.
I was surprised when I realised that I was to be included. This decision was not part of the discussions I had. I am immensely proud to have been included in this snapshot-in-time list of what I hope will be the first of many such recognitions given to Black women in the UK and Ireland. My portrait was created by award-winning artist Lauryn Pinard. I am delighted and grateful to Lauryn for this piece and as I reflect on the conversations she and I had; I find the portrait quite moving. She has captured the heart of who I am.
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