Launch Event: No Place Like Heimat by Kedisha Coakley

About the event

In 2023 LU Arts commissioned the artist Kedisha Coakley to produce a new work interrogating the experiences and hopes of global majority members of Loughborough University. The result is No Place Like Heimat: Coat of Arms of the Diaspora, a stunning new stained glass work installed above the University's main training room in the Rutland Building.

The window sits in dialogue with the stained glass in the Rutland Building and its near neighbour, the Hazlerigg Building. Dating from the buildings' construction in the 1930s, some of these reflect the racial composition of Loughborough College (as the University was then known) while others depict the coats of arms of British protectorates and colonies. Its design draws on conversations with global majority members of the University, reconfiguring elements of traditional coats of arms to raise questions concerning institutional comfort, belonging and attachment.

To celebrate the installation of the work, Kedisha Coakley will give a talk outlining its genesis, with a particular focus on the experiences and hopes of Black members of the University. She'll be joined by stained glass artist Annahita Kessami of Cut Glass Studio, who helped turn Coakley's vision to reality; and Denise Coles, Loughborough University's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

Refreshments and light meals will be provided.

The event forms part of Loughborough University's Black History Month programme.

Accessibility

The Rutland Building Training Room is on the first floor of the building. Step free access is available via a lift.

If you have any specific access requirements or anything you would like us to be aware of, please let us know via the booking form or email LUArts@lboro.ac.uk in advance of booking and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Photography

Photography and video recording may be taking place at this event. If you do not consent to being photographed or recorded, and for images/video to be used by Loughborough University, LU Arts and the artists for publicity purposes, then please alert the photographer or event organiser on the day.

Parking

Please note that visitors are required to register their vehicle and pay to park on campus. There are various ways in which you can register and pay (both in advance and on arrival).

More information on visitor parking

About Kedisha Coakley

Based in Sheffield, Kedisha Coakley works across a variety of media, including sculpture, print and photography. Her works ‘remix’ techniques and aesthetics from childhood memories and the ritualistic practices of Black communities. Commissions include projects for Graves Gallery (Sheffield), the BBC, Eden Project (Cornwall), and the Hepworth Gallery (Wakefield).

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