BLACK AND GIFTED - a New Exhibition of Material From the Riverside Studios Archive to Run This Spring

2023 marks the 45th Anniversary of Riverside Studios being established as an arts centre, and its 40th Anniversary as a charity. Creative Director Rachel Tackley, Executive Director Tony Lankester, Projects Manager Daniel Thurman and the whole team have announced details of a new exhibition that will run at the West London venue from Monday 13 March - Sunday 16 April: BLACK AND GIFTED is the first large-scale exhibition of material from Riverside's archive collection, curated by Creative Associate Reuben Esson-Parkes.

Inspired by a conversation with writer and musician Benjamin Zephaniah, who recalled that Riverside Studios became a 'home from home' for young Black theatre and dance practitioners (predominantly artists with African Caribbean heritage) in the 1980s, Esson-Parkes was given access to the venue's archive. There he found a wealth of photographs capturing the variety of work made and presented by Black artists at Riverside in the late 1970s and 80s.

From ground-breaking companies such as the Black Theatre Co-operative, Talawa and Dance Theatre of Harlem to legendary figures including Norman Beaton, Yvonne Brewster, Mona Hammond and Lenny Henry, this selection of photographs and posters convey the ambitions and achievements of Black theatre, dance and music practitioners working at Riverside Studios at that time.

Reuben Esson-Parkes said, "Whilst looking through the archive I, I found a gold mine of photos going back almost 40 years, photos featuring a wealth of black artists and performers, many of whom are now very well-known names across tv, cinema and theatre.

What I see in many of the photos is young black and gifted artists who utilised and benefited from the platform that Riverside Studios provided in its unique and special way in being a creative hub and connecting, embracing and presenting Talent."

The sense of excitement, hope and endless creativity is evident in these photos.

The exhibition will be striking, alive and nostalgic. In the photos I see young black men and women with dreams and a desire to perform and be heard. For many of those featured in the photos they were able to see those dreams come to fruition by having successful careers within the arts. Riverside Studios gave them a voice and a platform. I want to look back and celebrate this."

The exhibition will have a programme of events running alongside, with full details to be announced.

This exhibition is part of a wider project to preserve and promote the rich heritage of Riverside Studios, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Full digitisation of the archive is underway, with further details to be announced.

About Riverside Studios:

For over 45 years, Riverside Studios has been the of an extraordinary mix of new and innovative theatre, film, comedy, art, dance, music and television. A cultural hub that has attracted some of the world's best creative talent including Samuel Beckett, David Bowie, Benjamin Zephaniah, Amy Winehouse, Yoko Ono, Lenny Henry and Michael Clark.

Now, in our glorious new building, we are beginning our next creative chapter, driven by a belief in the power of creativity to bring people together, unlock potential and spark positive change in the world. We are ambitious, curious and audacious, we are for our community, our artists and our audiences. We're brand new, again.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund:

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK's heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £46billion for projects and more than 670,000 grants have been awarded across the UK - the equivalent of more than 240 lottery grants in every UK postcode district. More than £30 million raised each week goes to good causes across the UK.

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