A Cultural Diversity Affair at the Royal College of Art BLACK EXHIBITION in London

September 6, 2011
DUNIA Mag
Posted in Art & Photography

By Juliette Goddard

The RCA Black Exhibition put together by the Royal College of Art in collaboration with the African and African Caribbean Design Diaspora in London attracted well over two hundred people to the private viewing event last month. Participating were some of the finest graduate students over the past 60 years; it is worth noting that the Royal College of Art is thought to be the most influential postgraduate art and design college in the country. Its renowned alumni includes David Hockney, Tracey Emin and James Dyson. The goal of this exhibition was to highlight the cultural diversity that the college is embracing.

The RCA Black exhibition featured 23 artists and design makers like Frank Bowling RA, painter; Eileen Perrier, photographer; Faisal Abdu Allah, photography and printed images; fashion designer Charlie Allen; and the textile designer Athea Mcnish from Trinidad who draws her inspiration from the flora and fauna.

It was exciting to see so many of the Alumni students who have graduated from the Royal College of Art excited to be a part of an all Black exhibition. The Rector Paul Thompson gave a speech about the college’s goal to encourage and attract more students from these ethnic groups, while seeking the best talent across the Nation.

The next part of this exhibition follows at the Barge house Gallery in London opening on the 8^th of September and supported by the British European Design group and the African and African Caribbean Design Diaspora.

I look forward to taking part in this event alongside Artist Adjani Klinsmann Okpu-Egbe, and celebrating the lead up to Black History Month in the UK which comes up in October.

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