Black Tudors exhibition: Meet the Artists
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People of African origin and descent have been part of the British story for a long time.
Black Tudors: New Narratives has been created in collaboration with young, local artists of Black Heritage. They are:
Annie Pearson, Nompumelelo Ncube, Jade Eynon, and Nina-Simone Brown.
You can listen to each artist talk about their artwork and their creative process:
Nina-Simone Brown has depicted Jacques Francis, who was a salvage diver.
Annie Pearson has depicted Cattelena of Almondsbury, an independent single woman.
Jade Eynon has depicted Mary Fillis, the Moroccan convert.
Nompumelelo Ncube has depicted Reasonable Blackman, a silk weaver.
Also joining the project is poet, Amanda Hemmings
Amanda Hemmings has written a piece especially for the exhibition, in celebration of Black Tudors.
Amanda has used the artform of poetry to support the wellbeing of children, young people and adults. This has largely consisted of collaborating with various organisations including schools, libraries, art centres and healthcare services.
In recent years this has encompassed working with local NHS Trusts, whereby she has been commissioned to write and perform poetry that raises awareness of services and campaigns; supporting the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff. Some of this work includes the poem- ‘Reach Out’; written as part of a mental health campaign, which was created into A2 posters that are currently displayed in hospitals throughout the West Midlands. It further includes ‘Grateful’; a poem written to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
The poetry workshops she provides for children and young people have helped to support wellbeing alongside developing literacy skills. She has created workshops and exhibitions that have helped to raise awareness of the need for diversity in education. The poem ‘1954’ has been used by community sectors to help towards learning the history of the Windrush generation.
Additionally, she has created a series of tribute poems in honour of her mother; ‘This One’s for You Mum’ is featured in an anthology and displayed by cancer charities, including Birmingham Hospice.
Black Tudors: New Narratives is exhibited at Selly Manor Museum Friday 26th January to Friday 22nd March 2024.
