1-54 Forum London 2022 | Narrating our “Pan-Afrikan” Connections: Claudette Johnson and Marlene Smith in-dialogue with Lubaina Himid

1-54 Forum London 2022 | Narrating our “Pan-Afrikan” Connections: Claudette Johnson and Marlene Smith in-dialogue with Lubaina Himid

Author: 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair November 1, 2022 Duration: 48:12

Narrating our “Pan-Afrikan” Connections: Claudette Johnson and Marlene Smith in-dialogue with Lubaina Himid

Marlene Smith is a multi-disciplinary artist and curator recognised for her research on Black Artists and Modernism in the UK. Claudette Johnson, known for her large-scale figurative drawings, are acknowledged for their ‘defiant’ contribution to the study of Black visuality. Both Claudette Johnson and Marlene Smith were co-founders of the East-Midlands based, BLK Group formed in Wolverhampton in 1979, setting the stage for the anti-racist discourse of the British Black arts movement, which would follow the early 1980s. Lubaina Himid is an artist, who spent much of her life working to create space for herself and other Black women in the UK’s artistic ecosystem, simultaneously operating as a curator, cultural historian, and as an educator. Here, she speaks to Marlene Smith and Claudette Johnson about the complexities of negotiating one’s individual artistic practice, while also giving credence to the effective power of collective movement and action in shaping and nuancing our multiple histories of art. The panel draws its title from an exhibition held at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in 1983. 


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The 1-54 Forum podcast is an audio extension of the talks programme from the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. This series captures the critical conversations that happen alongside the fair's physical editions in London, New York, and Marrakech. Rather than simply documenting events, the podcast delves into the ideas shaping contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, offering a platform for artists, curators, critics, and thinkers to explore themes that define the current moment. Listeners will hear unfiltered discussions on artistic practice, curation, and the complex cultural dialogues that this vibrant art scene engages with globally. Each episode provides a deeper understanding of the contexts and narratives behind the work, moving beyond the gallery walls to examine the forces influencing creation and exhibition. The audio format allows for an intimate and focused engagement with perspectives that are often nuanced and multifaceted. By tuning in, you gain access to a curated selection of dialogues that highlight the fair's core mission to promote diverse and underrepresented viewpoints within the international art landscape. This podcast serves as a lasting resource for anyone interested in the evolving discourse of contemporary African art, preserving the dynamism of live talks for reflection and continued learning long after the fairs conclude. It is an essential listen for those who seek to comprehend the breadth and depth of this artistic field through the voices actively shaping its future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

1-54 Forum
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