Transforming Legacies with Pacheanne Anderson

Interview with Transforming Legacies curator, Pacheanne Anderson (He/They)

Photo: Ryan Adrian Prince

Tell us a bit about this exhibition…

The exhibition is about looking into what Black British art has meant over the past 40 or 50 years. As it is still in its infancy, there are so many stories and visual representations of our past(s) and present to display or review. Through showing a diverse range of works with different forms such as sculpture, moving image, collage and painting I wanted to make a note of the diversity of black talent based here in London and South London specifically.

Why did you want to do this at BCA?

When asked to curate the exhibition, I wanted first and foremost for the exhibition to present an opportunity for Black people to learn about fine art in a black space, run and ,managed by black people - to give the opportunity to my community to see a calibre of works and artists they would usually have to travel into central and east London to see. Part of my curatorial practice is to fill gaps of art exposure, education on the sides of viewership and the inclusivity of artists in spaces that welcome their intersections.

Who should visit the exhibition?

Everyone. Everyone who cares about being Black and feeling seen in the art space. Potential artists and curators to understand how space can be used and transformed to include varied experiences of blackness. People who are not part of the creative space and want a new understanding of exposure to fine art in a place made for and by them. Older or conservative folx who may be confronted by conversations of queerness and/or complete artistic expression in a way they had never been interrogated before. Young people who never felt they had a place to be heard or feel seen. The community around BCA who need something exciting to see that they can afford to walk to and bring their friends to.

What impact do you want the exhibition to have on visitors?

To see something new, to learn about black existence in a Black space, to see themselves in the work or even the opportunity to curate and have that job as a Black person. To bring queer Black commentary into a space which might have usually rejected it. To use the archives to show that Black artists have been expressing themselves through art and performance for a very long time.

What legacy do you want it to leave?

Good vibes, authentic representation and fair pay and  treatment of Black artists, art professionals and creatives when working with institutions. I want to show people the importance of working and collaborating with black spaces and institutions where we control our own voices and narratives and are treated with respect from start to finish.

Pacheanne Anderson

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Transforming Legacies is on at Black Cultural Archives until 29 January 2023.

Visit the exhibition: Black Cultural Archives, 1 Windrush Square, Brixton SW2 1EF

Times: Thursdays - Saturdays, 10:00-18:00, Sundays, 12:00-17:00