Words by Abi Scaife
A new exhibition celebrating black history is opening in London.
Tell me more.
London patchwork artist, Jo Aidoo, is debuting her solo exhibition, Rebirth, at the London Lighthouse Gallery & Studio for Black History Month.
Jo has used colourful fabrics to make incredible, patchwork portraits, after being invited to create a patchwork Christmas card for a charity which has supported her - The Jesuit Refugee Service.
What else?
“I love working with African fabrics which are very bright and colourful. Colour is the language that speaks to me as an African woman. My Ghanian heritage illustrates the vibrancy of African textiles and fabric traditions,” Jo said.
“What’s more, my artistic and creative methods allow me to examine several themes including my families, my friends, people of power, and more recently landscapes, politically and socially related images and full body representations,” she added.
“It is an honour and privilege as an African woman to present my work as part of Black History Month.”
If you want to visit Jo’s exhibition, you can do so for free at the London Lighthouse Gallery & Studio (18 Lyell St, London City Island, London E14 0SZ) from 1st October to 31 October 2023.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Windrush Foundation. This is a registered charity that designs and delivers heritage projects, programmes and initiatives which highlight African and Caribbean peoples’ contributions to the UK. Learn more here.
Race Equality Foundation. A national charity tackling racial equality in public services. Find out more here.
SARI. Stand Against Racism and Inequality is a charity that provides free and confidential support for anyone who is a victim of hate crime across Avon and Somerset. Support them here.
