Lubaina Himid exhibition at Spike Island in Bristol wins the 2017 Turner Prize
Posted on: 07 Dec 2017Artist Lubaina Himid has won the 2017 Turner Prize for her trio of exhibitions at Bristol’s Spike Island, Modern Art Oxford and Nottingham Contemporary.
Over the past 30 years, the painter has made many contributions as a curator, archivist and writer who focuses on the experience and cultural history of black diaspora in Britain. A member of the Black Arts Movement of the 1980s, her work is a critique of the politics of race, gender and class.
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Her exhibition at Spike Island Navigation Charts sees her three longstanding concerns; labour, creativity and migration come to life. Showcasing a monumental installation of 100 life-size painted figures, her work represents a mass gathering of African slave/servants from the courts of 18th Century Europe. Amongst the figures are ceramicists, herbalists, toy makers, dog trainers, drummers, painters and more, whilst a recorded voiceover spoke their original names and identities.
Himid stated that her work is “what it means to make the best of a life unpaid and abused that may have been thrust upon you”.
Spike Island is an international centre for the development of contemporary art and design. A place for artists and public to meet, it also creates pathways for artists and other creative producers by nurturing a rich arts ecology that supports professional development beyond the confines of the organisation.
There are exhibitions on year-round, to find out what’s on head to the official website here.
Spike Island is located at 133 Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6UX
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Hannah recently graduated with a degree in English with Writing. She is an avid writer, freelancer and creative. She is currently writing her first full-length novel and a collection of poetry. Always out and about in Bristol's music scene, she attends music events on a weekly basis.
