Some of us are Brave

Between 5-11th July I am exhibiting six oil paintings with a group of Black women artists at J/M Gallery, London. The show ‘Some Of Us Are Brave: Exploring The Feminine, Form and Function in Black Women's Art’ has been curated by CasildART, who has selected nine artists variously expressing ideas about what it means to be a woman and an artist at this time and explores themes ranging from ecology to sexuality, family and myth-making.

The exhibition title is borrowed from a book of Black feminist theories published in 1982 entitled All the Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave. The collection of essays was edited by Akasha (Gloria T.) Hull and Patricia Bell and was the first comprehensive writings on the issue of race and gender in the US, covering everything from racism and sexism to the role of Black female artists. It was also one of the first texts to talk about the intersection of class, race and gender as a way of explaining how Black women's views and experiences were often marginalised in conversations about equality and freedom.

Sukai Eccleston, curator, said ‘I am excited to announce Some of Us Are Brave which features primarily Black British women artists, who are often overlooked, but continue to produce work that is meaningful to them. I hope the works here demonstrate a depth of creative expression that we don't normally see as well as provide insights into how the feminine and form - both in terms of medium and language - are reflected in their practice, and how we understand the purpose of the work, that is its practical use, or a call for cultural uplift, social change or action.’