Inviolable: joy as a form of resistance by Linnet Rubaya

About

Rubaya has won high praise for her unique and extraordinary artwork that takes a deeper look at how Black people are represented in modern day culture – incorporating the use of vibrant colours contrasted against Black figures.

Rubaya was born in Harare in Zimbabwe in 1991 and grew up in London, studied Biomedical Science at University in Brighton and now lives and works in Leeds. She was a recent winner of the prestigious New Light Saul Hay Emerging Artist Award. 

Using acrylic paint and drawing from an extensive digital archive across Pinterest, Instagram and a collection of personal photographs, Rubaya creates works that capture moments of intimate engagement and emotions that are distinctively contemporary. 

Artist, Linnet Rubaya says: “Black trauma has become far too normal, constantly on display throughout all types of media, and I choose to create art that demonstrates that, despite all odds, Black people are not just fighting and surviving, but are also thriving and happy. The issues that are suffered by our communities under a white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy and whose repercussions are felt most intolerably by Black women, are not who we are. Struggle, pain and sorrow are afflictions but not our identity.

“My work says: ‘Yes I am Black… but what else?’ I want it to force the viewer to engage more sensitively with the subject beyondrace, with the intent of challenging the damaged human respect that is afforded to Black people and championing of their intricacy and humanity. With my exhibition I want to focus on ‘Black Joy’ in the context of Black women, their identity and resistance in the current socio-political climate.” 

Rubaya draws on cultural, personal, and contemporary references to capture an experience that is distinctly late 20th century and early 21st century. Her figures feature easily identifiable elements of Black culture, such as hair, nails and jewellery, with an intent to trigger discussions of Black representation and identity.

Ian Hay, Director of the Saul Hay Gallery says: “In selecting Linnet Rubaya as the winner of the Saul Hay Emerging Artist Award at New Light I was first drawn to the strength and confidence of the application of colour and form. The urgency and contemporary relevance of the people portrayed, and the sympathy and joy of that portrayal struck such a chord. Linnet is clearly an amazing young talent and we are excited to be bringing her solo show to Manchester”.

Rubaya credits artists such as Alma Thomas and Albert Irvin as influencing her use of colour as language while building on the figurative work produced by Kerry James Marshall, Barkley L Hendricks, and Amy Sherald, creating a style that is distinct and uniquely hers.

The Saul Hay Gallery hosts a vibrant collection of artists and sculptors from the Manchester art scene and beyond. For more information or to shop online visit: www.saulhayfineart.co.uk