Join artists Michael Elliott and Mary Evans as they talk about their aspirations for a new and exciting project, Windrush Portraits, as part of our new public art project, Co-Creating Public Space. Chaired by Kim Marie-Spence.
Wednesday 1 February 2023
6pm (GMT) / 1pm (EST)
Windrush Portraits is a transatlantic artistic collaboration with communities in Kingston, Jamaica and Southampton, UK. During February 2023, artists Michael Elliott (based in Jamaica) and Mary Evans (based in UK) will present iconic artworks that highlight the legacy of the Windrush generation and migration on digital billboards across Jamaica.
Meaningful new work by Elliot and Evans, informed by conversations with Caribbean communities in Kingston, Jamaica and Southampton, UK developed through an artist exchange, will subsequently be presented on billboards across Southampton, UK in October 2023. This artistic undertaking endeavours to celebrate the individuals, highlight the injustices, and commemorate the important contribution of the Windrush Generation to the UK’s recovery in the post-war period.
Kingston Creative, Jamaica is partnering with UK organisations John Hansard Gallery, Black History Month South, and Southampton Black Archives to celebrate and commemorate the Windrush Generation and give voice to the subsequent Windrush scandal.
Windrush Portraits has been developed in partnership with Kingston Creative, Jamaica and has been supported by iPrint, Jamaica and Rok Hotel Kingston, Jamaica. Windrush Portraits is part of the programme Co-Creating Public Space, led by John Hansard Gallery, part of the University of Southampton, with support from Arts Council England, Southampton City Council , GO! Southampton.