In this issue: A restorative Gathering for artists and cultural workers James Baldwin’s lost archives Liberation Through Hearing, the story of an independent record label 1974—Your new must read Substack LV Hull’s studio receives recognition Ekow Eshun’s exploration of five remarkable Black men Ernest Cole —a new conversation Arthur Jafa the great storyteller Artist Tom Kemp says what I’ve been feeling about Autism and creativity Jack Whitten comes to London 1-54 Art fair is back Donald Rodney moves to Nottingham Contemporary Migration Museum’s new exhibition Marlene Smith at Cubitt Ibrahim Mahama New York Ming Smith at the Spelman Museum Drawing Matters Summer School
This issue is too long to view as an email; tap the headline to read it in full in your browser or on the Substack app.
Well I’m back I guess! Here are my art recs as we approach Autumn.
In the next issue we’ll be joined by a guest writer who’ll share their review of a past exhibition that we’ve been ruminating on. An invitation to reflect on work that has stayed with us after the lights have dimmed.
Before you read on, can I ask you something? It will help me with one of my challenges as an Autistic person working in the arts. I usually prefer to retreat than be on display in any capacity, which isn’t a particularly useful character trait when you use social media and a have a broadcasting platform.
I don’t know what it’s like being neurotypical, but I imagine that some of you experience some sense of vulnerability from time to time after sharing something online? Or maybe it’s affirming putting yourself out there? I’ve never really felt that way, but I’m interested to know how it is for you. Many autistics including myself can experience significant and disorientating rushes of dysregulation after engaging in any form of public engagement. So, if you’re enjoying Shade Art Review, could you let me know? A tap on the like icon at the end of each post will do really nicely. It flags that you’re there and in some way appreciating a post. Thank you!
Event
Gathering 2024
I’ll be taking part in this two-day gathering focussing on how as Global Majority UK-based cultural workers and artists we practise rest. Held at 180 Studios in London we will convene in exploration of restorative practices to build frameworks for stronger relationships and more sustainable arts ecologies. Axel Kacoutié will join me as we lead participants through a sound led journey of restoration. I’ll share more on this, next month.
Listen
The Lost Archives of James Baldwin BBC Radio 4
When James Baldwin died at his home in the South of France in December 1987, the world lost a towering intellect and one of America’s literary giants. He was buried in New York a few weeks later. But what remained in France, and still to this day, are thousands of personal and professional effects connected to Baldwin. Journalist Tony Phillips travels to Provence to discover why these items are stored in an Englishwoman’s home on the Côte d’Azur. Produced by Tony Philips and beautifully sound designed, as always by the aforementioned Axel Kacoutié. Listen here.
Liberation Through Hearing by Richard M. Russell
This audiobook tells the story of XL Recordings and their three decades on the front line of innovation in music and the artists who came to define the label's aesthetic from Gil-Scott Heron and Dizzie Rascal to Radiohead. More here.
Read
Dale Berning-Sawa 1974
Shade collaborator, writer and art crtic Dale Berning-Sawa has launched a newsletter. 1974 takes us on her wondrous walk alongs (she shares maps of her long meditative walks as a “Professional noticer.”)
In her own words: “I’m also a musician and an artist and, one of these days, an author — I’ve never been able to think in a single, straight line. I constellate.” This newsletter is a joyride through Dale’s constellations. Read her latest post below and work here.
L.V. Hull’s home-studio in Mississippi has been added to the US’s National Register of Historic Places
This self-taught artist has become the first African-American woman whose studio is being recognized at the level of national significance. Read more here and here.
The Srangers by Ekow Eshun
Eshun’s latest book is a meditation on race, estrangement and the search for home told through the the lens of five remarkable Black men —Ira Aldridge: nineteenth century actor and playwright. Matthew Henson: polar explorer. Frantz Fanon: psychiatrist and political philosopher. Malcolm X: activist leader. Justin Fashanu: footballer. I’m waiting for this to come out on audiobook, but for those of you who enjoy a juicy hardback find the pre-order details here.
Listen
A Lens in Exile. Raoul Peck and Mark Sealy discuss the cultural and historical impact of photographer Ernest Cole.
A Lens in Exile (Autograph until Oct 12) is the first exhibition showcasing Cole’s photographs from New York, during the height of the civil rights movement in America, where he spent his early years in exile. Peck and Sealey will discuss the significance of Cole’s work. Autograph Thursday 10th October @ 6.30pm. Book in person here and livestream (free access) here. Bravo Autograph for making this event accessible. Learn more about Ernest Cole here.
A Brush With.…Arthur Jafa
Jafa’s talent for storytelling is enthralling. This winding chat is packed with stories about his practice and influences, from Anne Imhof and Mahalia Jackson. Also mentioned is Cady Noland whose work I’ve enjoyed exploring since the hearing this conversation. Listen here.
Artist Tom Kemp shares his experience of seeing and making as a Autistic artist
I had to include this as it was so moving. Listen to the artist talk on his experience of being an autistic artist. N.B the controversial term high functioning is used in the accompanying text, but Tom’s insights into how his autism informs his practice is interesting. It’s on instagram here.
View
Jack Whitten: Speedchaser at Hauser & Wirth London
Focusing on Whitten’s paintings and works on paper from the 1970s, this exhibition showcases a juncture in the artist’s painting career, which saw him reject the gestural brushstrokes of abstract expressionism in favor of experimental processes and materials. This includes rare works from Whitten’s landmark Greek Alphabet series (1975 – 1978). Sept 7 - Dec 21. Do not miss this one! Free entry. Details here.
1-54 Art fair at Somerset House London
1-54 the international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora returns to Somerset House for it’s 12th year. Hosting over 60 international exhibitors and representing 23 countries artists including work across mediums and installation from artists such as Esther Mahlangu, Tuli Mekondjo, and Mous Lamrabat will be featured alongside emerging talents like Dina Nur Satti, Layo Bright, and Kofi Perry. Oct 10-13. Details here.
Donald Rodney: Visceral Canker moves to Nottingham Contemporary
Ending at Spike Island on Sept 8 Rodney’s major retrospective moves to Nottingham Contemporary from Sept 25. In January we’ll get the chance to view the exhibition at Whitechapel Gallery, London. I’ll post that reminder in my new year listings. Details of the Nottingham Contemporary iteration here.
All Our Stories: Migration and the Making of Britain at the Migration Museum London.
Exploring how the movement of people across time has shaped our cultural, social and political landscapes All Our Stories brings together the Migration Museum’s work over the past decade, alongside new stories and artwork that highlight how central migration is to our lives. Free entry. Opening Sept 12. Details here.
Ah, Sugar: Marlene Smith at Cubitt Gallery London
Smith explores the cyclical nature of social histories and familial entanglements. In a body of three-dimensional work developed with Smith’s inherited collection of textiles, impressions and imprints —made from adornments, table settings, and her parent’s wardrobes, which are visible in a series of iced sugar sculptures. Textiles also appear as materials that interact with the human body in a series of portraits, abstracted through close looking and performative gestures, that Smith has developed with friend and long-time collaborator, Ajamu. Until Oct 18. This exhibition will travel to the Reid Gallery, Glasgow School of Art, later in 2024. Details here.
A Spell of Good Things: Ibrahim Mahama at White Cube New York
Mahama’s solo exhibition features an installation and a series of charcoal drawings that take the colonial-era railways of Ghana as a primary point of reference. Building upon the artist’s continuing investigation into economies of labour and migration, the exhibition explores the latent potential of salvaged industrial materials to construct visual narratives around local production and trade.
A Spell of Good Things runs from Sept 4 - Oct 26. Details here.
Ming Smith: Feeling the Future at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
The first major career-spanning museum survey of Harlem-based photographer Ming Smith.
Ming was our Shade Podcast guest for the Interludes series, back in 2022. It was such a thrill to have her join us and it was her words on her journey as a mother, dancer and creative whose still maturing into her work that has given me food for thought as I navigate my way back into photographing.
Ming’s work also served as inspiration for Shade Podcast series nine which explored the Black radical tradition of the harmony between the lyrical and visual. Listen to the series here.
Feeling the Future at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art until Dec 7. Details here.
Giving Thanks
Drawing Matters Annual Architecture Summer School at Drawing Room in Bermondsey.
Special thanks to Sakiko Kohashi and Andrew Clancy from Kingston University for hosting the fantastic architecture summer school at Drawing Room. My teen was the youngest on the week-long course, but she was well looked after, made friends and is excited to explore a new love of architecture. The course focussed the students on being present in their surroundings and the tutors gave them a huge toolkit of observation techniques to use in their own practice. And it was free! Supported by Hauser & Wirth, Zaha Hadid Foundation and Kingston University, students apply with a portfolio of work. The teaching far excelled any I’d witnessed at GCSE level, serving as a reminder why extra curricular art funding has such an impact on student outcomes. If you have a young person in your life that is interested in drawing of any kind, I’d recommend that you mark your diaries for next year’s open call. Details here.
See you next time! Lou x.