Art plays a crucial role in society and can have a huge impact on community cohesion and development. However the art scene remains dominated by white, male artists while black, female artists remain largely shut out. Black communities have been among the hardest hit by austerity and the arts are consistently undermined by cuts. This has real, negative implications for the black, female community who are unable to flourish as a result.

To overcome these hurdles, these lesser represented artists need a platform to showcase their talents. Theoo wants to champion black artists in the communities they come from, recognising the incredible and culturally rich art they can produce. The goals is to use that unharnessed potential to boost their own self-confidence, artistic profiles and home communities, showing them how powerful their work can be.

The Africa Collective exhibition aims take away the barriers to entry in the art scene. To achieve this, one has to appreciate the intersectionality in the barriers black female artists encounter trying to make their impression in the artistic world.  No longer shall these lesser represented artists be on the outside looking in.

By exhibiting them alongside known and internationally based artists, we will elevate them to this level and welcome them into the world of greater prospects. Their work will join a collective of African voices in art and draw from a common, cultural heritage.

With an all Nigerian directorial team, Theoo’s long term goals are to contribute to West African development. All proceeds go towards both UK initiatives and enabling development of our West African target communities.

You can support the exhibition by participating in Theoo’s crowd-funding campaign. For more information on the project, contact Theoo.

Mallam Yero