'BLACK JOY! Up Close and Personal' Exhibition

Project Manager, 'BLACK JOY! Up Close and Personal' Exhibition

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Bohemia Road, Hastings, TN34 1ET

Saturday 4th May - Sunday 25th August 2024

 

A thought-provoking exhibition paying tribute to Black culture, resistance and happiness with joy as its central theme.

 

Curated by Lorna Hamilton-Brown RCA MBE, Playing the Race Card's 'BLACK JOY! Up Close and Personal' exhibition showcased the creativity of over 40 talented Black artists from the South East of England.

 

Artists were invited to explore the theme of Black Joy, resulting in a vibrant collection of artworks spanning a range of mediums, from painting and fashion to textiles, sculpture, collage, photography and video.

 

In an era where Blackness remains under siege, the concept of Black Joy serves as both an act of radical (self-)care and a crucial element in the ongoing struggle for equality.

 

“Black people are not a monolith, so we all experience or express Black Joy in different ways. For me, Black Joy is the deliberate act of finding pleasure and happiness in whatever you do despite your situation.” - Lorna Hamilton-Brown RCA MBE, curator 
 

“This exhibition is probably the largest collection of Black artists to exhibit in the UK. Having a body of work that sparks conversations about race and social justice by acclaimed artists empowers change and understanding.” - Claudine Eccleston, Playing the Race Card Founder

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The exhibition was complemented by a programme of live events, including performances, workshops, talks and tours.