Open Up Your Eyes : September 2021
In 2020 Stroud Against Racism commissioned Gloucestershire based artists to produce artwork based on their life experiences with injustice. We showcased these works at Studio 18 in Brimscombe as part of Site Festival 2021, as both prints in an exhibition and as banners along the canal path to showcase the poetry that was submitted.
The project was made possible through generous donations from individual supporters and also from a generous contribution from the Subscription Rooms.
The exhibition was made possible through the support of Studio 18 and a grant from Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council.
The exhibition was accompanied with a live poetry event “Meeting of Voices” on the 18th September 6.30pm.
the Exhibition
The exhibition was shown 18th + 19th September and 25th + 26th September 2021 as part of the Site Festival Open Studios weekends at Studio 18 : Hope Mills Business Centre, Brimscombe, Stroud GL5 2SE.
You can find the full Festival Programme on the Site Festival website : sitefestival.org.uk/festival-programme-2021.
Poetry : 18th September 2021
One performing poet, Ronnie McGrath explored notions of ‘blackness’ through his work to both challenge racism and dissolve the constraining nature of the category of race, which above all else is not a biological fact but predicated on myth. He said, “I am pleased to have been invited by Stroud Against Racism to read some of my poems and hopefully further the understanding of what it means to be black in a time of hope and growing tension between various groups of people, ethnic or otherwise.”
Halima Malek, performed her poetry and showed her talents as a makeup artist who uses makeup as well as her hijab, to showcase her art. She is the co producer of Shespoke, a project working with women of all faiths, colour, diversity, ageing from 18 to 70. “I’m also a poet, and I help other women and give them a voice through words and Art."
Also that night Tish Camp shared her brilliant words : London born Trinidadian / Irish feminist, published poet, artist and theatre maker. Nominated for the 2019 Gloucestershire Poet Laureate, Tish Camp also won a Paper Nations 2020 Award as a Marginalised Writer for South West England. In 2020 she has been compared to UK spoken word artist Kae Tempest and most recently to Black US ‘Harlem Renaissance’ poet Langston Hughes. She performs internationally and consciously and brings a modern lick to her take on fighting against racism and oppression. She has been involved in and supportive of Stroud Against Racism from the start.
The Artwork
I Rise by Junk Baby (Ismiah Martin and Rochelle Johns)
I Rise - Junk baby
“For our piece, we created a character as an emblem of black girl magic. So much of black culture has been used, misappropriated and whitewashed to make it acceptable and fashionable. Black women’s hair has often been straightened and flattened to be something it is not, so we wanted to make it as big and curly as possible. We used punchy acrylics to form the oranges and pinks of her curls, and earth and water shades for her skin. She needed to look almost other worldly, and goddess-like. Her hair is entangled with words, some cruel and judging, some empowering and fierce. You must look closely to read them; they are part of her. We wanted to convey how words stick, they become part of your psyche, empowering you and also tearing you down. After being a product of so many opinions and stereotypes, she is reclaiming her identity.”
”This piece was personal and cathartic for both of us. As two girls who have looked ‘different’ in the predominately white schools we went to in this area, we have heard first-hand some of the phrases in our piece. Every prejudiced statement wrapped around her curls is something one of us has heard or experienced. We felt it was important to acknowledge the negative racial comments, whilst having an overriding theme of beauty and positivity. We want to inspire young people of colour, by showing that even though there is ignorance and miseducation, they are represented in this area. Stand tall, stand proud.”
Find their full blog post at junkbaby.co.uk.
The original painting is currently being hosted by The Prince Albert in Rodborough.
Halima Malek (photographed by Tammy Lynn)
Halima is a poet, artist and make-up artist, working in Gloucestershire. Co-creator of the She Spoke poetry group and 'Stitch in Time' project, plus current associate on the Women Leaders South West scheme.
Halima Malek will be performing her poetry on the 18th September and showing her talents as a makeup artist who uses makeup as well as her hijab, to showcase her art. She is the co producer of Shespoke, project working with women of all faiths, colour, diversity, ageing from 18 to 70, “I’m also a poet, I work and help other women and give them a voice through words and Art.
instagram.com/makeupbyhalimamalek
Photography by Tammy Lynn.
White Noise by Rizpah Amadasun
Rizpah is an Afrocentric artist in paint and spoken word, currently based in the historic city of Gloucester. A keen wordsmith, full of ideas and eccentric tastes, she finds a natural impulse to create.
Engaging in a plethora of cultures to form her British identity, she celebrates who she is and encourages others to do the same through her poetry and art. There can be no confusion in who you are meant to be, when you realise you have the power to create who you are.
A self-taught artist, Rizpah focuses on positive representations of the African Diaspora through the predominant use of acrylic paint. With a background in politics, philosophy and economics, she weaves her enthusiasm for concepts into her creativity. Addressing topics such as Black female resilience, microaggression, positive Black narratives and promoting joy in the face of hate, fear and trauma; you will often see bright colours, and loving facial expressions in Rizpah’s paintings. The positive expressions are a protest against the capitalism of unhappiness and the socially constructed currency of misery.
Spiralling Back to Self by Mali McGrath
Flatline by Ronnie McGrath
Eagle feather painted for Ronnie’s piece by Shani Wills.
Ronnie McGrath (aka ronsurreal) is a socially conscious visual artist, neo-surrealist poet and novelist, plus a lecturer in creative writing.
At the poetry event Ronnie McGrath will be exploring notions of ‘blackness’ through his work to both challenge racism and dissolve the constraining nature of the category race which above all else is not a biological fact but predicated on myth. He said, “I am pleased to have been invited by Stroud Against Racism to read some of my poems and hopefully further the understanding of what it means to be black in a time of hope and growing tension between various groups of people, ethnic or otherwise.”
Listen to “Solitude (spoken drill)” on YouTube
Produced by @kimibeatz, poetry and art by Ronnie Mcgrath.
She was a child by Tish Camp
Tish Camp is a London born Trinidadian / Irish feminist, published poet, artist and theatre maker. Nominated for the 2019 Gloucestershire Poet Laureate, Tish Camp also won a Paper Nations 2020 Award as a Marginalised Writer for South West England.
In 2020 she has been compared to UK spoken word artist Kae Tempest and most recently to Black US ‘Harlem Renaissance’ poet Langston Hughes. She performs internationally and consciously and brings a modern, lick to her take on fighting against racism and oppression. She has been involved in and supportive of Stroud Against Racism from the start.