Conversations around Histories, Diaspora & Creative Practice

About

As part of the Routing Diaspora Histories project, we're excited to host this talk and conversation. Bringing together three highly talented people - curator, Bolanle Tajudeen; interdisciplinary artist, Gary Stewart; and storyteller, Lara Grace Ilori - this conversation explores key questions surrounding pre and post-colonial African histories and the diaspora, as it relates to the practice, experiences and interests of each speaker.

Join us in exploring important, energising and generative questions, hearing from practitioners who actively consider ideas of migration, heritage and belonging in their work.

Routing Diaspora Histories is a collaborative, evolving project begun between Roehampton University and The South North CIC. Together we have been holding creative and dialogic spaces for participants to explore pre and post-colonial African historical narratives, sharing ideas, experiences, memories, expressions and literature of the African Diaspora - with a view to inviting creative responses to this process.

Questions that will guide the conversation include:

• What opportunities arise for looking at Black and Diasporic identities in new ways when we go beyond established historical narratives which centre slavery and struggles?
• What can we learn from responding to more expanded histories of Africa and diaspora in creative and personal ways?
• How do our lives contribute to the making of history in the present moment?

The project has been funded by The Centre for Cultural Value, Collaborate Fund.