ANCESTRAL FUTURES
Client:
British Council/ Caerbladdon
Role:
Art Director/Artist
Award (s):
New Narratives Award (2023)
Project Summary:
As part of the New Narratives programme, Caerbladon has offered four digital content commissions targeted at young creatives aged 18-35, in the nations and regions of the UK. A parallel programme will be run for young creatives in the African countries participating in the programme. Each commission will be supported by a £1,500 award to include artist fees and production costs. The focus will be on amplifying new narratives or demystifying existing myths and stereotypes, and short documentaries presenting new stories about contemporary African experience in the UK.
Background
The New Narratives project is about opening up a future facing dialogue between young creatives and representative organisations in Africa and the UK to build stronger cultural connections between those living in the four UK nations and on the African continent. The project is looking for fresh perspectives, new insights based on lived experience and which challenge dominant narratives about Africa and the UK, including those relating to the UK’s colonial past and oversimplistic and negative representations of Africa and its diverse peoples and cultures.
DUNE (Painting Timelapse)
MOTHERLAND
A scene of serene bonding, where a young boy sits closely with his mother by a tranquil lake. Painted in vibrant blues, pinks, and purples, this piece celebrates the fertile abundance of the earth, embodying the nurturing spirit of home and the beginnings of life's journey. The Mother, a symbol of strength and guardianship, adds a layer of profound meaning, reminding us of the vital connections between family, land, and the protective forces of nature.
PASSAGE
A scene of serene bonding, where a young boy sits closely with his mother by a tranquil lake, under the protective gaze of a distant hippo. Painted in vibrant blues, pinks, and purples, this piece celebrates the fertile abundance of the earth, embodying the nurturing spirit of home and the beginnings of life's journey. The hippo, a symbol of strength and guardianship, adds a layer of profound meaning, reminding us of the vital connections between family, land, and the protective forces of nature.
GUARDIAN
A reflective culmination to the series, where the boy, now aged, is seated alone atop a dune under the vast night sky. The minimalist landscape, dominated by soft, desolate hues, and the solitary figure gazing at the moon, evoke a poignant sense of introspection and the passage of time. This final piece contemplates the cycles of life and nature, the solitude of wisdom, and the silent urgency to preserve the delicate balance of our environment. It stands as a gentle yet powerful reminder of our own fleeting presence in the grand tapestry of life.
DUNE
A reflective culmination to the series, where the boy, now aged, is seated alone atop a dune under the vast night sky. The minimalist landscape, dominated by soft, desolate hues, and the solitary figure gazing at the moon, evoke a poignant sense of introspection and the passage of time. This final piece contemplates the cycles of life and nature, the solitude of wisdom, and the silent urgency to preserve the delicate balance of our environment. It stands as a gentle yet powerful reminder of our own fleeting presence in the grand tapestry of life.
For the New Narratives programme, I proposed an Afrocentric art collection called, “Ancestral Futures”. The collection would be centred around a selection of digital paintings that showcase the rich heritage of the African people, our history and our pride. I aim to offer a fresh perspective on Africa by challenging overly simplistic and negative representations of the continent and its diverse peoples and cultures, whilst helping visitors connect with their ancestors.