Exhibition: Black Venus examining the historical representation of black women
Black Venus is an exhibition aimed at reclaiming black women in visual culture, curated by Aindrea Emelife.
The exhibition will run between July 20 and September 24, in the Terrace Rooms & Courtyard Rooms at Somerset House in the Strand, Covent Garden.
Black Venus examines the historical representation of black women in visual culture by bringing together the work of more than 20 black female artists to explore othering, fetishisation and reclamation of narratives around black femininity.
In all, 40 contemporary, mostly photographic, artworks will be displayed, with a selection of archival imagery, dated between 1793 and 1930.
The exhibition mines the complex narratives of black womanhood through three perceived archetypes: the Hottentot Venus, the Sable Venus, and the Jezebel.
Participating artists include: Sonia Boyce, Widline Cadet, Shawanda Corbett, Renee Cox, Delphine Diallo, Ellen Gallagher, Ayana V Jackson, Zanele Muholi, Amber Pinkerton, Tabita Rezaire, Coreen Simpson, Lorna Simpson, Ming Smith, Maud Sulter, Kara Walker, Maxine Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, Alberta Whittle and Carla Williams.
Aindrea Emelife,said: “Rather than simply putting forth a compelling group of contemporary talent, Black Venus defines a legacy.
“At a time when black women are finally being allowed to claim agency over the way their own image is seen, it is important to track how we have reached this moment.
“In looking through these images, which span different stages of history, we are confronted with a mirror of the political and
socio-economic understandings of black women at the time and how the many faces of Black womanhood continue to shift in the public consciousness.”
Picture: Ayana V. Jackson, Anarcha, 2017, Delphine Diallo, Highness Blue (Hybrid 1) 2011 and Ming Smith, Me as Marilyn, 1991. Pictures: Ayana V. Jackson and Mariane Ibrahim/MTArt, Delphine Diallo, Joanne Petit-Frère and JoGoesWest/Ming Smith and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery
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