This ‘riveting’ exhibition at Somerset House explores the representation of the black female body in art
The representation of the black female body in art is a “complicated” topic, to say the least, said Waldemar Januszczak in The Sunday Times. It is “a fiery stew of big issues” – of sexual, racial and colonial politics – which are all explored in this “riveting” exhibition. “Black Venus: Reclaiming Black Women in Visual Culture” examines “the image of the black woman in art” using works by 18 black artists, as well as a wealth of archival material. It looks at the way in which black women have responded to their historical subjugation, fetishisation and objectification through art, and how they have reclaimed their own image. It is an “accusatory” exhibition, but also an “involving” one that never once settles into “an obvious path”. Above all, “it proves how many talented black women artists are at work, how potent they are, and how interesting”. In short, “what a good show”.
