The Art of Joy Exhibition

Curators

Arts Students' Union

Arts Students’ Union and the UAL African and Caribbean Society are pleased to present The Art of Joy, an exhibition that celebrates and highlights the talents of the Black community at UAL, on view at Koppel X. As they gather to celebrate Black History Month, their exhibition will seek to reflect the ways in which joy is expressed through artistic exploration and aims to give space for artists to move away from depictions of the Black experience centred purely on trauma. Although they continue to witness events that cause long overdue global reckoning with racism on an institutional and societal level, this year they want to make room for joy, innovation, and honourable resilience. They continue to revel in long history of culture, art forms, genres and cuisines that have been influenced and birthed by the Black community, they are excited to hold space for their artists to show us what joy means to them and their culture. This multifaceted exhibition will present artists currently studying at the University of the Arts London. While each artist is distinct in their concepts, approach, and styles, what underpins and connects them to each other is the notion that moments of Joy and celebration hold a strength that can lead us towards change. This exhibition is curated by Armani Sutherland, Ti’onne Debnam and Alyshia Jack.

Arts Students’ Union and the UAL African Caribbean Society would like to thank Koppel X and The University of The Arts London for making this exhibition possible.