Invisible Visible: A Constructed Geographies Artist Talk

With Akila Richards & Maria Amidu

Sunday 17 February
2-3pm

The Constructed Geographies artists will talk through the process of making in relation to our other artistic practices – socially engaged work and writing - and how they have consciously and unconsciously influenced the work for the show.

The talk will be held in the gallery on the last day of the exhibition; all will be invited to stay and celebrate the final hour of the show.

Akila Richards is a published and award winning writer, poet and spoken word artist. She performs and reads in a range of settings including internationally. Her recent work appeared in digital animation and text on clothes for a collective exhibition. Akila also runs workshops for young people and adults for performance poetry on stage. She has recently written a play from her short story ‘Secret Chamber’ that was performed on 26 October at the Purple Playhouse Theatre. Her intention is to develop it into a full production for touring. Akila works professionally in the creative and community sector. www.akilarichards.com

Maria Amidu is a visual artist who is interested in the social relationships between people mediated by things, usually objects and places. She is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in glass and ceramics, and exhibited nationally and internationally as maker before pursuing a social practice. She has developed site-specific and artist’s residency projects with a number of museums, galleries and organisations, including the Houses of Parliament, National Maritime Museum Greenwich, V&A Museum and Turner Contemporary.www.mariaand.co

About the venue

The gallery space where the talk will be taking place is accessible, but the toilet is not accessible and it is up 5 steps.

About the exhibition

Constructed Geographies is an exhibition featuring artists who have created new work in response to Sussex’s diverse heritage and population.

Artists include: Amanda Jobson, Judith Ricketts, Josef Cabey, Rikki Tarascas, Akila Richards and Maria Amidu, curated by Amy Zamarripa Solis.

The broad theme of the exhibition allows each artist to approach it from their own perspective and art practice – including photography, painting, sculpture, video, digital and performance – to explore the rich cultural heritage of the area and draw out stories from a range of communities.

The exhibition seeks to claim a space for the hidden diversity in Sussex. From the remains of an ancient African women found on Beachy Head to local histories in the African hairdresser in Eastbourne, the exhibition works to dispel the misconception that there is a lack of diversity in the region. You just need to know where to look.

Supported by Arts Council England Project Grants and Devonshire West Big Local.

https://onca.org.uk/event/constructed-geographies/