Image Credit: HeadtoHead HearttoHeart, Art Bypass Gallery London, featuring works by: Samantha Russell, Rachel O-Williams & Mohammed Adel. Photo: Charlotte Elliston
Summer House: Reclaiming Space
Framed within RESOLVE Collective’s leisure/work installation and inspired by Brighton’s growing DIY arts scene, ‘Reclaiming Space’ seeks to share stories of the physical and intangible ways space can be reclaimed from the diverse perspectives of under-represented artists. This exhibition features the work of both emerging artists, University of Brighton students and Alumni all who skillfully build upon themes of race, class and gender and in relation to their varied experiences of spaces.
A dominant theme is the embracing of non-white and working class heritage through physically manipulating everyday forms such as takeaway containers to official indicators of identity such as Botswana government identity documents and maps of urban farming in Zambia. From the Baoule women’s hairstyling as a hidden channel of communication, deconstructed portraits exploring Black femininity within white spaces to cityscapes of racial and LGBTQ+ persecution in the USA, these conceptual artworks explore how individuals establish a sense of place in relation to their personal histories, identity and urban geography.
The exhibition includes a range of mediums from photography, poetry, sculpture to film and will be presented alongside a curated programme by artist and Alumni Rachel O-Williams and will consist of participatory talks with emerging and established creatives across art and music. Reclaiming spaces, voices and sharing space through workshops and film screenings is crucial to the practical act of reclaiming black creative space.
Find out more about the exhibition and public programme below. Free to attend, all welcome.
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RESOLVE Collective invited Pacheanne Anderson to create their third and final season of Summer House at Brighton CCA. Reclaiming Space is produced by Pacheanne Anderson and curated by Gem Allison and Rachel O’Williams.
Pacheanne Anderson (he/they) is an art consultant and art writer collaborating with art galleries & institutions, organisations and publications that support the development and promotion of low-income, queer, Black and PoC British artists. Pacheanne Anderson Gallery & Advisory offers a channel of access between the non-profit and commercial art sector through providing opportunities to artists directly, through exhibitions, residencies, sales and commissions.
Gem Allison is an MA student studying Curating collections and heritage with a specific interest in lgbtq+ intergenerational connection in her research. As a working class creative, she is passionate about removing barriers of access to the arts and works as an engagement assistant at Fabrica gallery and delivers arts workshops across diy venues in Brighton including the Queery, the Ledward centre and The Feminist bookshop. Through her own artwork she aims to create a sense of community through creating and raises money for local grassroots orgs.
Rachel O-Williams is a British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist. Her work explores the connection between her past and present – incorporating her physical surroundings within the context of social and political disintegration from her personal perspective. Sometimes questioning or exploring the complicated interconnection between peoples life in society with race, gender, sexuality and culture her work is political – not always with the intent to be – it is the creation of a double consciousness.
Summer House is supported by Art Fund.
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