Acts of Rebellion

Sat 31st October

A day of events presented by October Gallery Education, to coincide with the exhibition, Aubrey Williams: Realm of the Sun. Join us to explore the history of black communities engaged in acts of rebellion and innovation through creative platforms. We will reflect on black history and culture through pivotal movements within art, language and sound that challenged the status quo. Taking this history and placing it in today’s context, will parallels or ruptures with the past reveal possible futures?

Historically, creative movements that challenge the establishment have grown to inform popular culture, creating hybrid identities. But what counts as an act of rebellion? Is it defined by the agent or the context? Over the course of 3 ‘acts’ (sessions), we will examine black histories through the impact of ‘rule breaking’ within artistic communities. Focussing on visual arts, music and literature, we will unpick the connections between rebellion, identity and creative power. How have artistic innovations affected the political landscape of today? And to what extent are artists dealing with racial identity differently?

road sign

‘ACT1’
2.00pm-4.00pm The Power of Language, interactive workshop: Kayo Chingonyi,
prize winning writer (Poetry review, Wasafiri, The Best British Poetry).

‘ACT2’
4.30pm-5.30pm Artists in conversation: Kimathi Donkor (Tate, Iniva, Peckham Platform), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show, Babylon, Othello),
‘ACT3’
6.00pm- 7.00pm Soft Wax film screenings (Deptford Dub Club, Deptford X, Dilston Grove Gallery)
7.00pm- 9.00pm Soft Wax D.J event with live music and spoken word.

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