#BlackBlossomsExhibits

Check out 18 pieces of art work from UAL students which celebrates and highlights the voices of Black Women.

1. Black Female Artist

Samia Malik

Samia Malik graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2005. The inspiration for her poster is from the Catalogue of Women of Colour archive, created by Rita Keegan. Samia believes Black Female Artist have been censored ignored and silenced. She argues "patriarchal oppression; vicious racism and sexism in the contemporary art world" is the cause.

It is a fact that the prestigious Turner Prize which has been running since 1984 has never been won by a Black Woman.

So we are guessing there could be some truth in this bold statement.

Want to see what her other posters say? They can been seen at UAL showroom until 3rd October 2016.

2. Deptford In Sound

w.soundcloud.com / Via Melodie Holliday

In response to Sonya Dyer's Time article "Why are the arts so white?" Melodie Holliday created a sound piece asking People of Colour in Deptford what they thought about art.

3. Mamma - Afro

Mikela Henry-Lowe

By challenging European notions of beauty, such as fair skin and straight hair, Mikela Henry-Lowe makes stunning canvas pieces of black women.

Her paintings focus on positive and celebratory images of black women that counter Western (mis)representations which portray Black women as over sexualized, gold diggers or angry.

Her work is currently on display at the Black Blossoms Exhibition.

4. W.O.C

Francesca Cozier

In a short film, London College of Communication graduate, Francesca explores the overt and subliminal messages Black Women receive surrounding their beauty and hair.

5. Young and Beautiful

Taiwo Sonekan

We are reminded by Taiwo Sonekan, London based Womenswear and Textile Designer that our melanin will never crack and we will stay young and beautiful.

This garment is part of Tawio Sonekan SS16 Collection.

6. Picky

Cara Brown

The significance of hair within Black culture led Cara Brown, to analyse it's complex historical and symbolic associations with afro textured hair. The beautifully crafted combs is accompanied by a book which she states is too "show how important hair can be in Black culture, whether as an aesthetic choice or a political statement."

7. Always There

Diana Burton

“Wherever Black Women are in the world we eat yam”. - Bell Hooks

Diana Burton created her ceramic pieces over 25 years ago. The work features hidden motifs of yam in the Paisley pattern. The political history of Paisley fabric is referenced in the works as a reminder of the appropriation of the material culture of ‘Others’ into Western culture and how this reminds us of the imperialistic values of Colonialism.

8. Hair

Habiba Nabisubi

Habiba Nabisubi who studied at Camberwell College of Art creates natural hair illustrations to show how afro hair is extremely versatile. When walking through the streets of South London, she cannot help but glow with pride at the ingenuity, creativity, and styles worn, twisted, braided, woven and locked - loudly and proudly on the heads of black women today.

Check out her interview with Shades of Noir, where she gives an insight about the importance diversity and representation in her work.

9. Yellow Fever

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami / Via kudzanaiviolethwami.com

Made in Arts London artist, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami displays the black female body in a powerful performance.

10. Spider Women

Azzara Amoy Christie

Azzara Amoy Christie explores the connection between black motherhood and traditional superheroes because with "great power comes great responsibility".

11. Self Portrait as my Mother

Silvia Rosi

Yes, we really love our mamas!! So much so photographer, Silvia Rosi recreates her mother’s early years as a migrant in Italy. Exploring the sense of displacement and representation within the family album.

12. Excerpts from 'a typical great British family portrait'

Portia Emily Baker

....and we sure love all the other black women in our families too; daughter, sister, aunties and nieces.

Check out more of Portia's work at which is currently in the UAL showroom.

13. Veiled Narrative

Dionne D Ward

By using ceramic to mould net curtains, Dionne D Ward shows how resilient Caribbean household is and the vital role of the Black Women is in this process. The flexibility of adapting to British culture but still remembering tradition and passing it down to children.

14. ....With Thanks

Fiona Walsh

This visual performance piece by Fiona Walsh shows us how to lose, mourn and love again by showing us non western perspective on death and life.

15. A Dancer’s Philosophy

Molly Ofori-Mensah

A moving image piece focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of female dancers.

16. Beauty, Identity and Conceal

Yharna Dior Joesph

London College of Communication graduate Yharna Dior Joseph investigates colourism and shadeism in the Black community and how this contributes to racial insecurities.

She ask's us to think about; "How many women often feel that they have to conceal their natural beauty? In order to conform to what society and the media portrays as ‘beautiful’ "

17. Empowering Women Series

Nicole Muskett

Fed up off seeing women degraded and exploited in sports Nicole Muskett decided to do an ‘Empowering Women’ skateboard series. This was to re-address the lack of positive female representation in skateboard graphics.

Her skateboards include inspiring female figures such as Rosa Parks, Michelle Obama and Diana Abbott.

Check out the process of how she made each one.

18. Black Girl Magic

Shani-Louise Osei

YES. Black Girls are Magic.