In the Black Fantastic
“THERE ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE”
It’s hard to miss the giant Alisha Wormsley (@alishabwormsley) sign outside the Hayward, replicating her American billboards addressing gentrification and systemic oppression. Inside the Hayward, however, Black people are somewhat harder to find, and I’m referring to the art.
Nick Cave’s (@nickcaveart) flamboyant sound suits are intended to anonymise the wearer. Wangechi Mutu (@wangechistudio) disfigures and contorts female bodies into forceful, fearsome creatures. Lina Iris Viktor’s (@LinaIrisViktor) self portraits in blackface set against gold leafed Christian-like motifs appear to take agency over one of the most unfortunate eras of entertainment history. And the paintings of Sedrick Chisom (@sedrickchisom) “present scenes from a post-apocalyptic future in which all people of colour have chosen to leave Earth.”
Much has been made about this show featuring the legacy of Afrofuturism, which I will admit to knowing very little about. I’ve done a little research, but still find myself fascinated and confused that so many of the artists in this show seem to have gone to great lengths to obscure or distort the black figure. To be fair, though, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was certainly wary of stereotype, but what I saw obliterated anything I might have had in mind.
Hew Locke’s (@hewdjlocke) subversive take on elaborate military horseback memorials is both proud and ridiculous. Rashaad Newsome’s (@rashaadnewsome) blingy collage and foot thumping vogues will leave you wanting to head straight to the clubs. Kara Walker (@kara_walker_official) has created what is quite possibly the most disturbing use of construction paper stop-motion animation since Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny met Santa and Jesus. (Note: It even has it’s own trigger warning!)
It’s an unexpected, exciting showcase of works filled with outlandishly engaging visuals that left me wanting more. Maybe one day we’ll get to the point that these works and their artists won’t have to be specifically ring-fenced into a show about being Black. It’s just art, full stop. And the title is spot on: Fantastic.
Until 18 Sept at The Hayward Gallery (Ticketed)
Visit the official page or follow @hayward.gallery on Instagram for more info