Black Venus
Throughout history, the Western world has too often used representations of black bodies to reinforce some truly horrendous beliefs about racial differences and societal hierarchies. For black women particularly, it has – far too often – depicted them as hyper-sexual, fetishised objects of colonial fantasy.
Now, an eye-opening exhibition at Somerset House, brilliantly curated by Aindrea Emelife, challenges that stereotype by showing us both how black women have been depicted in Western history alongside the contemporary artists that are challenging these stereotypes – and showing us that the black body is beautiful.
Learn more about Black Venus HERE.
Black Venus curator, Aindrea Emelife
Brilliantly curated by Aindrea Emelife, Black Venus shines a light on the historical representation and shifting legacy of Black women in visual culture – bringing together the work of 18 Black women and non-binary artists to explore the othering, fetishisation and reclaim narratives around Black femininity.
Celebrating and exploring the many faces of Black femininity, with over 40 contemporary and primarily photographic artworks, Black Venus’s contemporary works offer a radical affront to a centuries-long dynamic of objectification, showcasing all that Black womanhood can be and has always been.
Furthermore, the exhibition mines the complex narratives of Black womanhood through the lens of three archival depictions of Black women: the shocking Hottentot Venus, the Sable Venus, and the Jezebel, dating between 1793 to 1930.
Highlights include Lorna Simpson’s ‘photo booth’ of 100 pocket sized photographs and drawings of black men, containing one black woman with her hair tied back, assumed to be male.
A fascinating new exhibition at London’s Somerset House challenges the way black bodies have been objectified in Western history…
Another is the fresh retelling of the horrid Sir Thomas Stothard engraving which showed a black Venus accompanied by the sea god Triton and cherubs being carried across the waves under a British flag – a propaganda tool to promote the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Here, Delphie Diallo’s contemporary model is seen wearing a bright blue mask, in a powerful pose that puts one in mind of Queen Nefertiti.
Having debuted in 2022 at New York’s Fotografiska, the Somerset House show features a new reworking of the themes, with over 19 new works and 6 UK-based artists in the line-up.
It is thought-provoking art like this that attempts to go at least some way to redressing the horrific stereotypes still heard today surrounding black women – the shameful legacy of years of colonialism and slavery.
Black Venus runs until 24th September. For tickets (pay what you can), see www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/black-venus.
