The lecture, named in honour of former Honorary Fellow and Orielensis Professor Rex Nettleford, former Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, is intended to contribute to the advancement of academic research into the legacies of colonialism in all its forms.
Ekow Eshun will explore the landscape of ideas and imagery that informed his acclaimed book and exhibition, _In the Black Fantastic_, to chart he ways that Black creatives are drawing inspiration from African-originated myths, beliefs, and knowledge systems. In the process confounding the Western dichotomy between the real and unreal, the scientific and the supernatural. And building new ways to confront racism and uplift cultures of resistance and affirmation.
*Ekow Eshun* is a writer and curator. He is Chairman of the Fourth Plinth, overseeing the most prestigious public art programme in the UK, and the former Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. He is the curator of exhibitions including, most recently, the critically acclaimed _In the Black Fantastic_ at the Hayward Gallery, London, and author of books including _Black Gold of the Sun_, shortlisted for the Orwell prize and _Africa State of Mind_, nominated for the Lucie Photo Book Prize. Described by The Guardian as a ‘cultural polymath’, he is the writer and presenter of documentaries including the BBC film Dark Matter: A History of the Afrofuture and the BBC Radio 4 series White Mischief. He has contributed to books on artists including Mark Bradford, Kehinde Wiley, Chris Ofili, John Akomfrah and Wangechi Mutu and his writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Observer, Esquire, Wired and L’uomo Vogue. He is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from London Metropolitan University.
Following the lecture there will be a presentation for the winners of the Rex Nettleford Essay Competition, in which Year 12 students were invited to submit an essay addressing specific aspects of colonialism.
More information can be found here: https://www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/rex-nettleford-lecture-on-colonialism-and-its-legacies-2023/
Ekow Eshun will explore the landscape of ideas and imagery that informed his acclaimed book and exhibition, _In the Black Fantastic_, to chart he ways that Black creatives are drawing inspiration from African-originated myths, beliefs, and knowledge systems. In the process confounding the Western dichotomy between the real and unreal, the scientific and the supernatural. And building new ways to confront racism and uplift cultures of resistance and affirmation.
*Ekow Eshun* is a writer and curator. He is Chairman of the Fourth Plinth, overseeing the most prestigious public art programme in the UK, and the former Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. He is the curator of exhibitions including, most recently, the critically acclaimed _In the Black Fantastic_ at the Hayward Gallery, London, and author of books including _Black Gold of the Sun_, shortlisted for the Orwell prize and _Africa State of Mind_, nominated for the Lucie Photo Book Prize. Described by The Guardian as a ‘cultural polymath’, he is the writer and presenter of documentaries including the BBC film Dark Matter: A History of the Afrofuture and the BBC Radio 4 series White Mischief. He has contributed to books on artists including Mark Bradford, Kehinde Wiley, Chris Ofili, John Akomfrah and Wangechi Mutu and his writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Observer, Esquire, Wired and L’uomo Vogue. He is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from London Metropolitan University.
Following the lecture there will be a presentation for the winners of the Rex Nettleford Essay Competition, in which Year 12 students were invited to submit an essay addressing specific aspects of colonialism.
More information can be found here: https://www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/rex-nettleford-lecture-on-colonialism-and-its-legacies-2023/