31 Oct - 26 Nov, 2023
Maruani Mercier | Belgium
Saatchi Gallery | United Kingdom
Curated by June Sarpong OBE, this exhibition brings together a collection of some of the most talented contemporary artists with a connection to the African Diaspora, through the power of their visual storytelling. Curated by leading television broadcaster, author, and diversity advocate, June Sarpong OBE, in collaboration with Maruani Mercier gallery.
They say “History is Written by Victors” when it comes to the Black experience and the racism that often impacts it. The negative ramifications of this quote in relation to Colonialism and the Transatlantic slave trade have corrupted the full truth of Black history pre and post this deplorable era.
Filling in the Pieces in Black aims to help redress this imbalance by bringing together a collection of some of the most talented artists of today. Through the power of their visual storytelling the exhibition seeks to Redefine the past, Refocus the present and Reshape the future, featuring works by: Larry Amponsah, Ofunne Azinge, Radcliffe Bailey, Kwame Akoto Bamfo, Kwesi Botchway, Wonder Buhle, Godfried Donkor, Modupeola Fadugba, Nicola Green, Lyle Ashton Harris. Yinka llori, Nate Lewis, Alexis McGrigg, Mario Moore, Zak Ové, Patrick Quarm, Sheena Rose, Samuel de Saboia, Mickalene Thomas, Hank Willis Thomas, Khari Turner, and Uthman Wahaab among others.
“Filling In The Pieces In Black has been a real labour of love. As a woman whose heritage hails from the African Diaspora, I feel there is so much about the rich tapestry that makes up the Black experience that has beeneither omitted, distorted or invalidated. My aim as curator of this showis to help present a more balanced representationof the many strands of the fabric of the indelible soul of Black people. As a medium, visual art has the power to change the way humans see themselves and each other. This show brings together an incredible collective of contemporary artists who are using their creativity to help shape a more rounded narrative of Black culture.”
– June Sarpong OBE, television broadcaster, author, and diversity advocate
Full artist list:
Cornelius Annor, Reginald Armstrong, Larry Amponsah, Ofunne Azinge Radcliffe Bailey, Kwame Akoto Bamfo, Kwesi Botchway, Wonder Buhle, Samuel Desaboia, Godfried Donkor, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Johnson Eziefula, Modupeola Fadugba, Nicola Green, Marcel Gyan, Lyle Ashton Harris, Yinka Ilori, Hassan Issah, Sthenjwa Luthuli, Alexis McGrigg, Mario Moore, Kaloki Nyamai, Joshua Oheneba-Takyi, Zak Ové, Patrick Quarm, Sheena Rose, Samuel de Saboia, Khadija Saye, Mickalene Thomas, Hank Willlis Thomas, Uthman Wahaab, Khari Turner, Lulama Wolf, and Kwaku Yaro
ABOUT JUNE SARPONG OBE
June joined the BBC in November 2019. She is an internationally renowned broadcaster, writer and campaigner on diversity issues. She started her career as a DJ and presenter on MTV, Kiss FM and for ten years on Channel 4’s T4 youth strand. She has gone on to appear as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and now on Sky News’ The Pledge.
Since 2010, she has built a reputation as a leading campaigner on a wide range of diversity and inclusion issues. She is a passionate advocate for change in the workplace and a champion for greater representation throughout the media. She has written two books on diversity issues - Diversify (2017) and The Power of Women (2018) - and co-founded the Women - Inspiration and Enterprise (WIE) Alliance in 2010, an international conference supporting female excellence and empowerment. She also co-founded the Decide Act Now (DNA) summit, promoting discussion and innovation.
