S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Experience

Curators

Kay Rufai

Welcome to the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Experience at Koppel X!

What is the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project?

The S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project addresses the mental health needs of black boys while challenging the negative portrayal of this demographic in the media through creative arts workshops using photography, poetry, film and discussions in a co-creative collaborative process within schools. The project uses these mediums to empower the participants to explore themes around race, identity, masculinity, sexuality and mental health. The project is a public health response to rising levels of serious youth violence and the media portrayal of black boys and men as perpetrators and victims.

The portraits on display are a culmination of an 8-week long series of workshops with Black boys from 20 schools in London. The project is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation & Nike. The exhibition is supported by the Koppel Project.

Mission

The S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys mission Is to challenge the negative stereotypes of black boys while providing them with positive tools to navigate their mental well-being through creative arts.

Vision

Our Vision is to see images of S.M.I.L.E-ing Black boys normalised across all media.

What Is Taking Place In The Exhibition

There will be a pop up at the front of the Koppel X space with S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Black Boy Joy merchandise (clothing, hats & calendars for sale), interactive elements run by some S.M.I.L.E-ing boys alumni and volunteers.
The Mezzanine space will feature over 40 portraits of `S.M.I.L.E-ing black boys, videos and interactive elements open to the public.

About the artist

Kay Adekunle Rufai is a Photographer, Poet, Filmmaker, Author, Mental Health researcher, founder of the internationally acclaimed S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys project & The 1st Artist in Residence for a police force in the UK . He has spent the past 8 years exploring public health approach to violence reduction, mental health, masculinity and community cohesion through art, photography, educational workshops and public speaking. A great deal of his work has directly engaged diverse communities, minority groups, inmates, gang members, refugee and displaced groups of people as well as collaboratively creating bodies of work with them. His work has been featured in The Guardian, The BBC, Huffington Post, Front cover of Positive News Magazine, The Voice and various news outlets.

Join us for an evening celebrating unbridled Black Joy through portraits, videos and a talk from the artist and participants!

Tickets are FREE, so do share with advocates, supporters, funders and interested parties invested in the mission of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project.
The celebration event will take place in-person at KOPPEL X, 48 Piccadilly Circus, Regent St. London, W1B 5RA July 13th, 6.00pm - 8pm.


Can’t make this event? No worries! The exhibition will still be available to view at the Koppel X exhibition space from July 12th –Aug 1st 2022.
 Follow us on Instagram for more @smilingboysproject

Previous Exhibitions

Battersea Arts Centre

Mayor Of London’s office, City Hall
Brixton Village Market Row Installations
Nine Elms outdoor installations

Theatre Peckham

OXO Gallery & outdoor installations

Upcoming Summer 2022 Exhibitions

London Bridge City Tower Bridge Outdoor Installations
Kidbrooke Station Outdoor Installations

The Barbican Centre Exhibition
Outdoor Installations Barking Rivergate Installations

https://linktr.ee/Smilingboysproject