About the Exhibition
Inequality is commonplace for Black people; however, it is especially more so for Black women who exist at the intersection of racism and sexism. The term ‘misogynoir’ was coined by Black feminist writer Moya Bailey to describe “the specific hatred, dislike, distrust and prejudice directed toward Black women.”
From microaggressions to harmful stereotypes and archetypes, Black women are continuously faced with traumatic and exhausting situations, including the mainstream portrayal of Black trauma in the media, in addition to the fact that the pain and trauma Black women themselves experience is routinely ignored and criticised. In this climate that exacerbates the fatigue already present, joy is a necessity.
The society we currently live in was not designed to hold space for Black woman joy and racialized capitalism makes rest and joy a privilege afforded only to the social majority. As such, intentionally creating spaces in which joy can be experienced is not only imperative to our survival as a collective, but also to our individual well-being.
In partnership with Copeland Park, the Radiant exhibition explores the experience and cultivation of joy for, with and by Black Women through different mediums of art and creative practices.
Opening on the last week of November 2024 at Copeland Gallery, this exhibition features work by seventeen contemporary artists and creatives who share the intersectional identity of ‘Black Woman’. The goal is to intentionally create and hold space for the sole purpose of an immersive exploration of joy through all the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste).'
The Artists & Creatives
The Radiant exhibition is an immersive, multisensory experience in which works of every medium engage with one or more of the senses.
Amaani Oluwa
Gifty Dzenyo
Saidat Animasaun
Yvadney Davis
Sabina Silver
Tomilola Olumide
Sade Popoola
Lola Betiku
Precious Opara
Funmi Lijadu
Kirsty Atek
Yelita Ali
Bexx
Birungi Kawooya
Joke Amusan
Farrah Riley Gray
CR1B Crafts
Our Partners and Sponsors
The Radiant exhibition is in partnership with Copeland Park as venue partner and Amandla Wines, an all Black, all female led South African wine company who are sponsoring us with wine stock for the duration of the exhibition.
Exhibition Programme
As part of the Radiant exhibition programme, there will be a series of events and workshops in partnership with different organisations to aid our community in the cultivation of joy.
The curator Abigail Fakoya and artist and creative producer Adanma Nwankwo will host an interactive workshop called Freedom is Like… that centres the cultivation of love and joy as a daily practice in the afternoon, followed by a spoken word, open mic and performance event in the evening designed to facilitate a safe space for freedom of expression.
Radiant will host the London chapter of Black Girls in Art Spaces, a global community with chapters all over the world, dedicated to championing Black artistry and Black stories while providing communal care through the Arts for Black women.
Followed by a tour and talk in the evening with the curator and artists in partnership with Casual Readers Club; a storytelling platform and an irl reading community of over 2500 readers because reading is a communal practice. Celebrating storytelling in all its forms from book club discussions to theatre trips, film previews to salon-style discussions and communal reading sessions with a particular focus on Black, Brown and traditionally excluded creators
The Radiant exhibition is a community centred initiative. It's an invitation for all members of our community to explore what joy looks, feels, sounds, smells, and tastes like to them as we invite them to experience different expressions of Black woman joy.
What are we raising for
- Venue Hire costs
- Production & Installation costs (printing, framing, hiring of technicians etc)
- Fair payment for the artists and creatives and their production costs
- Equipment rental (monitor, media player, speakers, PA systems etc)
About Me
I am an independent curator, writer and visual Artist whose ongoing research explores the resilience of Black Woman Joy. My artistic and curatorial practice centres exploration, play and cultivating joy in a social, political and economic climate in which even writing about joy seems almost counterintuitive. I'm also the founder of the Mojun Art Space, a platform dedicated to the intentional cultivation of joy in creative practice and the amplification of the voices of underrepresented artists in the art industry.
This project is a personal one. As a Black woman who struggles with anxiety and finds the concept of joy foreign and fleeting even when found, this space is as much for myself as it is for the community. I am, through the process of curating this exhibition, exploring what joy looks, feels, sounds, smells and tastes like to me and I am learning to give myself grace and to intentionally cultivate and hold space for joy in not only my creative practice but also in my everyday life.
If you wish to see the budget in details please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time spent here and for your donations towards this project! All funds raised will go towards bringing this exhibition to fruition.