Our visit to the Tate Modern for the ‘Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power’ by David Bazuaye

Posted on 3rd Nov

 

 

Overall I thought the exhibition was powerful because it had a mixture of different forms of art and cultures. We were able to watch videos about black History and black forms of Art, such as dance whilst looking at sculptures, street art, photos and traditional paintings. 

My favourite piece of Art was this piece about the Civil Rights Movement. The piece explored the violence experienced during the movement. I liked the bright colours contrasting with the negativity of the violence. My main focus was the two children in the middle; you have one white child hugging a black child whilst they tried to stay safe from the white and black people killing each other around them. From this I understood that nobody is born racist and that it is not natural and therefore can be stopped.

Marcus:

I enjoyed all of the art, all of the pictures and in particular the really colourful pieces. My favourite piece was the Civil Rights picture. It shows us that nobody is born racist (the children in the middle) and the true violence and impact of racism. It was a great trip, I would tell other people to go. I liked that it was art about my people.

Rochelle:

I liked all of it but I particularly liked the Malcolm X painting. I liked that when you looked closely the painting was made up of quotes from him. It taught us about history and his views whilst being a bright and engaging picture. It was different to all of the other art exhibitions I have been to.

 

SOUL OF A NATION: ART IN THE AGE OF BLACK POWER

 

Soul of a Nation shines a bright light on the vital contribution of Black artists to a dramatic period in American art and history.  The show highlights the 1963 Civil rights movement and its dreams of integration. In its wake emerged more militant calls for Black Power: a rallying cry for African American pride, autonomy and solidarity, drawing inspiration from newly independent African nations. 

Artists responded to these times by provoking, confronting, and confounding expectations. Their momentum makes for an electrifying visual journey. Vibrant paintings, powerful murals, collage, photography, revolutionary clothing designs and sculptures made with Black hair, melted records, and tights – the variety of artworks reflects the many viewpoints of artists and collectives at work during these explosive times.