Acclaimed poet and interdisciplinary artist Zena Edwards presents a special poetry performance at the National Portrait Gallery inspired by the stories and achievements of Black people represented in the Gallery’s collection.
Taking place during Black History Month 2026, the 30-minute set brings poetry into direct conversation with portraiture, history and memory, using spoken word to reflect on Black lives represented in the National Portrait Gallery both past and present.
Edwards is a poet, performer and interdisciplinary artist whose work moves between poetry, theatre, music, storytelling and visual culture. Her career has included collaborations with musicians, choreographers, filmmakers and artists, creating work that connects personal experience with wider questions around history, identity, community and the environment.
Her writing has also appeared in important anthologies of Black women’s writing, including Daughters of Africa and Part of a Story That Started Before Me.
Known for the power of her live performances, Edwards has developed a distinctive approach to spoken word in which poetry becomes both storytelling and a way of opening conversations about culture, heritage and social change.
For this National Portrait Gallery performance, she turns her attention to the Black sitters whose portraits form part of Britain’s national collection.
The event offers audiences an opportunity to think about the lives behind the portraits: the achievements, experiences and histories represented by Black figures who have contributed to British cultural and public life.
By bringing poetry and portraiture together, the performance provides a different way of engaging with Black history, moving beyond dates and biography to consider memory, voice and how individuals are represented and remembered.
Poetry Performance: Zena Edwards takes place in Room 28 at the National Portrait Gallery on Friday 30th October 2026 from 7:00pm to 7:30pm.
The event is free to attend.
More Westminster Listings MORE
Black On The Square 2026
Black On The Square returns to Trafalgar Square for its fourth year, bringing together thousands of Londoners and…
Black Men-Talk Health: Wellness & Mental Health for African-Caribbean Men
Black Men-Talk Health is a supportive community event created to encourage open and honest conversations about mental health,…
Ankara Festival UK 2026
Ankara Festival UK returns for an inspiring evening celebrating African fashion, culture, creativity and innovation as part of…
MBK Peloton
MBK Peloton brings together members of My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), a global network of over 1,100 Black men,…
Exploring Black History Through Family History: Who Do You Think You Are?
Exploring Black History Through Family History: Who Do You Think You Are? offers an opportunity to discover how…
Poetry Performance: Zena Edwards
Acclaimed poet and interdisciplinary artist Zena Edwards presents a special poetry performance at the National Portrait Gallery inspired…