Presented by Dark Matter and Round Table Books Join us for an illuminating evening with writer, art historian, and founder of A Black History of Art, Alayo Akinkugbe, in conversation with curator and educator Bolanle Tajudeen. In Reframing Blackness, Akinkugbe challenges the historical erasure of Blackness in mainstream art history. This discussion will delve into key themes from the book, shedding light on the intersections of race, feminism, and cultural narratives in art. Expect a thought-provoking conversation on how we can rethink art history, challenge dominant narratives, and celebrate the contributions of Black artists. Whether you’re an art lover, artist, student, or simply curious about the untold stories of Blackness in art, this event is not to be missed. The event will include an audience Q&A, book sales with Round Table Books and a book signing. About Reframing Blackness Since the inception of mainstream art history, Blackness has been distinctly ignored. In Reframing Blackness, art historian and founder of @ABlackHistoryOfArt, Alayo Akinkugbe challenges this void. Exploring the presentation of Black figures in Western art, as well as Blackness in museums, in feminist art movements and in the curriculum, Alayo unveils an overlooked but integral part of our collective art history. Refreshing and accessible, this promises to start a much-needed conversation in culture and education. Alayo Akinkugbe graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in History of Art in 2021 and graduated with an MA in Curating the Art Museum from the Courtauld Institute of Art in 2023. She runs the Instagram platform @ABlackHistoryofArt, which highlights Black artists, sitters, curators and thinkers from art history and the present day; and hosts the podcast A Shared Gaze. Alayo is a contributing editor and writes the column ‘Black Gazes’ for AnOther Magazine. She was awarded a curatorial research grant by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art for the exhibition Entangled Pasts: Art Colonialism and Change at the Royal Academy of Arts. Alayo was on the advisory panel and contributed to the book African Artists: From 1882 to Now, published by Phaidon in 2021, and has written for publications including Dazed, Tate Etc. and The World of Interiors. Reframing Blackness is her first book. Bolanle Tajudeen is a curator, cultural leader, and founder of Black Blossoms, an expanded curatorial platform and online art school supporting artists from diverse backgrounds. She is also a curator at the Bristol Legacy Foundation, where she leads projects reimagining public spaces and cultural narratives. In 2024, she launched Bolanle Contemporary, a gallery dedicated to showcasing exceptional work from artists often underrepresented in the art world. Founded in 2024 Bolanle Contemporary supports artists committed to artistic excellence. The gallery promotes artists from diverse backgrounds, offering a platform to reach wider audiences. Bolanle Contemporary hosts exhibitions that enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. Dark Matter is an inclusive marketing agency that works collaboratively to connect Black audiences with culture and the arts. Find out more here. Round Table Books is an inclusion-led bookshop. They sell books for every reader and run community projects, based in the heart of Brixton. They work with authors and illustrators that celebrate underrepresented experiences. Find out more here.