On World Elephant Day, we take a closer look at the huge elephants in Samson Kambalu’s exhibition New Liberia, and the symbolism of the elephant mask in Malawian Nyau tradition. As you enter Samson Kambalu’s exhibition New Liberia, you are greeted by two Nyau elephant chiefs. Nyau is the secret society of the Chewa people… Continue reading World Elephant Day – Meet Samson Kambalu’s Elephant Chiefs
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Watch: Samson Kambalu meets Alayo Akinkugbe of Instagram’s @ablackhistoryofart
When Cambridge Art History student Alayo Akinkugbe created her @ablackhistoryofart Instagram account, she was responding to her own “frustration at the lack of Black representation” in her degree. The project garnered interest from around the world and she now has over fifty thousand followers of her feed, which highlights overlooked black artists, sitters, curators and… Continue reading Watch: Samson Kambalu meets Alayo Akinkugbe of Instagram’s @ablackhistoryofart
Gender Stereotypes and Young People | A short film by young artist Rachael
Rachael took part in our City as Studio online film-making residency for ages 16-19 in February 2021. The young artists were encouraged to work with DIY film-making and music-making techniques as ways to explore the issues that matter most to them. Rachael shares her experience of the residency, and how she used film-making and music… Continue reading Gender Stereotypes and Young People | A short film by young artist Rachael
The Lost Year and Don’t burn our future | Two short films by young artist James
James took part in our City as Studio online film-making residency in February 2021, during a period of lockdown in the UK. Meeting only online, the young artists worked with lead artist Kate Mahony and artist James Scott to learn film-making techniques and discuss the issues that matter most to them. James shares his experience… Continue reading The Lost Year and Don’t burn our future | Two short films by young artist James
Exploring identity in the domestic space: Young artist Matt on film-making as an art medium
Matt joined our online City as Studio film-making residency in February 2021. After learning just a few simple DIY film-making techniques, Matt was able to apply his own art practice to film-making, and create work that explores identity, cultural heritage, consumerism and the domestic space. Matt shares a bit more about the experience of the… Continue reading Exploring identity in the domestic space: Young artist Matt on film-making as an art medium
Behind-the-scenes: Making Samson Kambalu’s elephants
Discover how artist Samson Kambalu collaborated with others to create his elephant sculptures In this video, meet the team behind Samson Kambalu’s life-size elephant sculptures. To create the works, Kambalu collaborated with seamstress Ann Tutt and a group of MFA students from the Ruskin School of Art. See how the students respond to Kambalu’s use… Continue reading Behind-the-scenes: Making Samson Kambalu’s elephants
“My filming has improved significantly. It has fully become a flex!” – Young artist Meymunah on taking part in City as Studio
18-year-old Meymunah took part in our City as Studio online film-making residency in February 2021. Meeting only online, young artists joined from across the UK to learn and experiment with DIY film and music-making techniques. Read about Meymunah’s experience of the residency below. Words and films by Meymunah – Never in my life did I… Continue reading “My filming has improved significantly. It has fully become a flex!” – Young artist Meymunah on taking part in City as Studio
Samson Kambalu’s 10 Rules of Nyau Cinema
The ten films displayed here are selected from Kambalu’s series titled Nyau Cinema (2012 – ongoing), in which the artist performs as a liberated ‘everyman’, wittily demonstrating how freedom of expression can spark social connection. In the final gallery, Kambalu shows expressions of individual freedoms in public spaces as joyfully transgressive acts. In Nyau Cinema… Continue reading Samson Kambalu’s 10 Rules of Nyau Cinema
13 Creative Wellbeing Ideas for All Ages
Feeling in need of some everyday inspiration at the moment? You’re definitely not alone. Immersing yourself even briefly in creative activities can offer welcome distraction, fresh perspectives and unexpected moments of joy.
Listen: Audio Described Exhibition Tour – Samson Kambalu: New Liberia
Explore Samson Kambalu’s New Liberia with an audio described exhibition tour The artist and curators lead a special tour of the major exhibition New Liberia, featuring an audio described introduction of the speakers and the exhibition. – You can read a transcript of the audio description below. Welcome to Samson Kambalu: New Liberia. One of South East Africa’s… Continue reading Listen: Audio Described Exhibition Tour – Samson Kambalu: New Liberia