North East Narratives – Art, collaboration and decolonial practice
D6 celebrated the power of collaboration at an event bringing together artists and collaborators whose work is rooted in the North of England and shaped by international experiences and perspectives.
Over the past two years, the artists have worked in Chile, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK, as part of Contested Desires - an international conversation between artists and the museums, archives and communities that shape and hold our European colonial histories.
Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, based in Ghana, traced the lives of Black and African people connected to the North East during the era of Empire, capturing the lives of abolitionists whose paths crossed in the music halls of Newcastle alongside formerly enslaved people who toured the UK working within - and against - the world of blackface minstrelsy.
Paul Nataraj, based in the UK, uses deep listening and collaboration to share stories and uncover hidden histories of migration, working with Sangini – a Black and minoritised women-led community arts project in South Shields – and Mira, an intercultural community group in Budapest. This often leads to collective sounds pieces – such as the one developed at Lisbon’s National Museum of Natural History and Science in response to Portugal’s colonial history.
Ziza, based in the UK, has developed Free to Roam – an ambitious multidisciplinary project comprising installations and performances that critically examine how histories are constructed, mediated and sustained through systems of power and knowledge. Ziza reflected:
Over the past two years, the artists have worked in Chile, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK, as part of Contested Desires - an international conversation between artists and the museums, archives and communities that shape and hold our European colonial histories.
Elisabeth Efua Sutherland, based in Ghana, traced the lives of Black and African people connected to the North East during the era of Empire, capturing the lives of abolitionists whose paths crossed in the music halls of Newcastle alongside formerly enslaved people who toured the UK working within - and against - the world of blackface minstrelsy.
Paul Nataraj, based in the UK, uses deep listening and collaboration to share stories and uncover hidden histories of migration, working with Sangini – a Black and minoritised women-led community arts project in South Shields – and Mira, an intercultural community group in Budapest. This often leads to collective sounds pieces – such as the one developed at Lisbon’s National Museum of Natural History and Science in response to Portugal’s colonial history.
Ziza, based in the UK, has developed Free to Roam – an ambitious multidisciplinary project comprising installations and performances that critically examine how histories are constructed, mediated and sustained through systems of power and knowledge. Ziza reflected:
History isn't singular. It shifts depending on where you stand and how you encounter it.
Artists and collaborators discussed how their time together has been mutually rewarding, with a common thread emerging: collaboration is a long-term process of relationship-building, trust and shared learning.
Elisabeth gained invaluable inspiration from African Lives in Northern England - which raises awareness of influential individuals of African descent who have visited or made the region their home - expanding and revealing connections between historical figures like Frederick Douglass and Henry ‘Box’ Brown. As co-founder Beverley Prevatt Goldstein said:
Elisabeth gained invaluable inspiration from African Lives in Northern England - which raises awareness of influential individuals of African descent who have visited or made the region their home - expanding and revealing connections between historical figures like Frederick Douglass and Henry ‘Box’ Brown. As co-founder Beverley Prevatt Goldstein said:
learning, sharing and learning from the sharing – that’s where the magic happens.
Paul and Padma, Sangini’s director, reflected on the deep partnership with Sangini. Over time and often good food, space and trust enabled the women to share hidden and fading stories. Paul reflected:
the joy lies in connecting the pieces of the puzzle together, working through complexity, and creating new energy through collaboration.
Ziza reflected on the opportunity for critical reflection with Mwenza Blell, academic researcher, writer, artist and community organiser - sharing this with audiences at GIFT and in the development of work. Ziza said:
We are the infrastructure. We tangle, connect and grow through those connections.
Dr Leona Vaughn drew together these experiences in a panel discussion. Again and again, speakers returned to the idea that meaningful creative work grows through connection: creating space for people's experiences to be centred on their own terms, while approaching difficult histories with care and respect.
Through residencies, public sharing events and giving space for research development, D6 has supported the artists in creating the right conditions to build deep partnerships with these incredible local collaborators.
Warmest of thanks to the artists and speakers, D6’s Producer in Residence Aisha Khateeb, Sangini’s Community Chef Azizun Nessa for the delicious food, and to the team at The Customs House in South Shields.
And thank you to everyone who came for your engagement and rich conversation.
Contested Desires examines the impact of colonial legacies through artistic collaboration.
It is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. In the UK, we are grateful for the support of Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Community Foundation North East's and Newcastle City Council's Newcastle Culture Investment Fund.
Images: Von Fox Promotions
Through residencies, public sharing events and giving space for research development, D6 has supported the artists in creating the right conditions to build deep partnerships with these incredible local collaborators.
Warmest of thanks to the artists and speakers, D6’s Producer in Residence Aisha Khateeb, Sangini’s Community Chef Azizun Nessa for the delicious food, and to the team at The Customs House in South Shields.
And thank you to everyone who came for your engagement and rich conversation.
Contested Desires examines the impact of colonial legacies through artistic collaboration.
It is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. In the UK, we are grateful for the support of Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Community Foundation North East's and Newcastle City Council's Newcastle Culture Investment Fund.
Images: Von Fox Promotions
