Bucking the Trend: with Eduardo da Costa

“Bucking The Trend:the hitherto Uncelebrated Story of Achievement of black British practitioners within London’s Visual Arts” aim is too discuss the widely under storied glut of Black British talents heading up some of the capitals most renowned Institution’s. Weather it be Melanie Keen at the Wellcome Collection, Gus Casley-Hayford at The Victoria and Albert Museum East Bank, Aaron Cezar at Delfina Foundation, Eva Langert at Frieze London or Zoe Whitley at The Chisenhale Gallery. These iconoclasts in-spite of the odds in london at least, have risen to the top of their career ladders in a environment where ‘roses growing form concrete’ to quote both Tupac and Lord Serota, are few and fare between. The statistics in London as the UK’s cultural capital are stark. With BME members of the capital accounting for 40% of its population: and 20% of this number being black. With only 16% according to the statistics provided by Tortoise Magazine, in the London art world being BME. In addition overall just only 2% of industry leaders happen to be black.

Their career progressions and stories deserve to be celebrated. For a long time their where only one or ever really two black institutional heads. But over the last year the makeup of the top of Londons cultural fabric has turned a corner in terms of diversity. Where as at the bottom end progression into the creative industries has slowed, what has caused the top end the most visible at that to Buck the trend?

In entering into a conversation with these pioneering protagonist of British visual cultural life. I wish to celebrate their individual achievements in so doing raise awareness of their wins and get the inside track on their progress in their own words.

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