A celebration of Black Culture
Wed, Oct 16
|London
Join us for an inspiring evening of food, drinks, and culture! This special event features engaging talks by Senior Lecturer Dr. Olalekan A. Bello and renowned British artist Winston Branch, as they explore and celebrate Black Culture through art, music, and advocacy.
Time & Location
Oct 16, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
London, Inner Cir, London NW1 4NS, UK
About the Event
Dr. Olalekan A. Bello, LLB, LLM, BL, PhD (FHEA) Senior Lecturer, School of Law, University of Leicester
Dr. Olalekan Bello is a passionate advocate for intergenerational social justice, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized communities impacted by extractivism and land grabbing. His research employs an innovative blend of methodologies, including narrative inquiry, decoloniality, and indigenous and critical event methodology, to addressing social challenges.
Topic of Discussion:
Black History: The Influence of Fela Anikulapo Kuti on Afrobeats’ Popular Culture as Means of Social Justice Advocacy and Decoloniality The discussion focuses on Fela Kuti’s pre-occupation with the denouncement of Imperialism, corruption and tyranny prevalent within postcolonial Africa, using music as a catalyst for societal transformation, justice, human rights, Pan-Africanism, and Black unity.
Winston Branch, OBE British Artist, Educator, and Set Designer
Winston Branch, born in 1947 in Saint Lucia, is a renowned British artist celebrated for his dynamic contributions to the art world. A graduate of The Slade School of Art at University College London, Branch’s work has been featured in prestigious collections, including Tate Britain, the Legion of Honor De Young Museum in San Francisco, and the St. Louis Museum of Art in Missouri. Throughout his career, Branch has received numerous accolades, such as the Guggenheim Fellowship (1978), the British Prix de Rome, and a DAAD Fellowship to Berlin. His international recognition includes a sponsorship to Belize from the Organization of American States and an Artist in Residence post at Fisk University in Tennessee. Branch has also served as a professor of fine arts, teaching at prominent institutions in London and the U.S., and has worked as a theatrical set designer with various theatre companies.
Topic of Discussion:
Beyond the Canvas: Exploring Caribbean Art and Culture in the Context of Western Art History Winston will explore the rich art and culture of the Caribbean, a vital yet often overlooked subject in traditional Western Art History. His perspective sheds light on the vibrant and diverse heritage of Caribbean artistic expression.