Valerie Asiimwe Amani

Valerie Asiimwe Amani is a Tanzanian anti-disciplinary artist and writer working between the tangible and embodied.  Her practice is informed by the permeability between the political, domestic and intimate; using myth and contemporary culture to reflect on personal and collective identity.  She has exhibited internationally with group shows in Lagos, New York,  Paris, Cape Town and Leipzig, and solo presentations in London and Dar es Salaam.  Notable shows include To Dismantle a House at South London Gallery, Boda Boda 2020 at The Guggenheim, New York and Immortal Apples, Eternal Eggs at Hastings Contemporary, Hastings.  Amani is the recipient of the 2023 Foundwork Art Prize, The 2022 Ingram Prize and the 2021 Ashmolean Museum Vivien Leigh Prize.  Amongst others, her writing has been published in The Architectural Review and Texte Zur Kunst, and her work has been featured in Art Monthly, Hyperallergic and The Guardian.  She is currently pursuing a practice-led PhD at The Ruskin School of Art, supported by a Clarendon Scholarship.


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In the gallery:

1

Five into a Hundred

As one of five portraits of Pawlet Brookes MBE, the curator of 100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark,…
1

A mixed media style portrait featuring three photographs from different angles of a Black woman with loose curly afro hair. Two photographs show the woman laughing and the third photograph gives a profile of the woman with a soft smile, wearing a cardigan, t-shirt, necklace and earrings. Various abstract elements surround the woman creating a layered effect.

Five into a Hundred

Pawlet Brookes MBE

As one of five portraits of Pawlet Brookes MBE, the curator of 100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark, it provides a snapshot of what the exhibition has sought to achieve, with each portrait acting as the artist’s signature and an introduction to their individual technique and style.

Valerie Asiimwe Amani, whose work throughout this project embraces her multi-media approach, brings together her passion for collage and textiles, photography and illustration to create a varied textual dimension.

Medium: Fabric collage with transfer print and yarn
Artwork size: 68cm x 56cm x 3cm

 

2

Allegory of Hope

Bernadine Evaristo is an award-winning author who was the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize in 2019 for…
2

A portrait of a Black woman with afro hair and a colourful patterned headband who shares a gentle smile. She sits on a chair with her legs crossed and her arms placed on her lap, wearing a floral jacket. She is surrounded in a warm yellow background with faint lined drawing and one bold blue symbol to the right side of her.

Allegory of Hope

Bernardine Evaristo OBE FRSL FRSA

Bernadine Evaristo is an award-winning author who was the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize in 2019 for Girl, Woman, Other.  Evaristo organised Britain’s first Black British writing conference and the first Black British theatre conference, as well as co-founding Spread the Word and Theatre of Black Women.  Alongside her passion for literature and theatre, Evaristo is a Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University London, where she founded the Brunel International African Poetry Prize.

Medium: Muslin, acrylic paint, heat transfer, yarn, thread and fabriano paper
Size: 133cm x 120cm x 2cm

3

Liv in the Sea

Liv Little is a journalist, writer and founder of gal-dem.  gal-dem was an online and print magazine published for those…
3

A black and white photograph of a Black woman with a shaven head, with both hands resting on her cheeks as she tilts her head to her left and shares a gentle and inquisitive smile. She wears a white strapped top, earrings and several rings on both hands. She is surrounded by different hues of blue in various shapes creating a layered effect.

Liv in the Sea

Liv Little

Liv Little is a journalist, writer and founder of gal-dem.  gal-dem was an online and print magazine published for those from global majority backgrounds and marginalised genders.  gal-dem began during Little’s final year at university and was created as a response to the frustrating lack of diversity for female and non-binary people from global majority backgrounds.  Little released her debut novel Rosewater in 2023.

Medium: Muslin, acrylic paint, thread, yarn, heat transfer, fabric and fabriano paper
Size: 80cm x 117cm x 1cm

4

I. Stephanie Boyce: Before, Between and Beyond

I. Stephanie Boyce is a solicitor, campaigner and keynote speaker.  She was the sixth female and the first Black person…
4

Three photograph portraits of a Black woman with short afro hair, one positioned facing forward and the other two photographs placed either side angled on the diagonal. In all photographs this sitter has her hands rested on her thighs. She is wearing a black suit with a pearl necklace, brooch and earrings. In the background are splashes of vibrant colours.

I. Stephanie Boyce: Before, Between and Beyond

Dr I Stephanie Boyce HON

I. Stephanie Boyce is a solicitor, campaigner and keynote speaker.  She was the sixth female and the first Black person to be elected as President of the Law Society of England and Wales.  With a vision to create a more diverse profession than when she began her career, Boyce uses her experience to lead as a role model for the importance of perseverance

Medium: Muslin, acrylic paint, ink, heat transfer, thread and fabriano paper
Size: 72cm x 93cm x 2cm

5

Rooted

As a climate justice activist, Zamzam Ibrahim began her journey as a student politician and became the first Black Muslim…
5

A background of clouds against a blue sky, dark blue hills that have a stich outline and blue tones patterns around the boarder. In the foreground sits a Black woman wearing a black dress, headscarf that drapes round to her left shoulder, gold earrings, necklace and a ring.

Rooted

Zamzam Ibrahim

As a climate justice activist, Zamzam Ibrahim began her journey as a student politician and became the first Black Muslim Woman elected as President of Salford Students’ Union.  Ibrahim was later elected as President of UK National Union of Students, where her work revolved around breaking down the cultural shame surrounding Further Education and campaigning for free and funded education systems.  Ibrahim also co-founded Students Organising for Sustainability, the Muslim Leadership Foundation and Somalis for Sustainability.

Medium: Dye-sublimation textile print, thread and yarn on cotton
Size: 86cm x 117.5cm x 2cm

6

The Unbelievable Cleo Laine

Cleo Laine is a multifaceted singer, known for her three octave vocal range and actress.  She has toured Britain, America,…
6

A Black woman stands in front of a mic singing in a black dress and full length black gloves. The background is black and there are stars in the top right corner.

The Unbelievable Cleo Laine

Dame Cleo Laine DBE

Cleo Laine is a multifaceted singer, known for her three octave vocal range and actress.  She has toured Britain, America, Canada and Australia with solo performances and performances with her husband, Johnny Dankworth.  Laine was known for her pop, blues, jazz and musical theatre performance style and received a Grammy for Best Female Jazz Vocal Performance for Cleo at Carnegie: The 10th Anniversary Concert in 1986.

Medium: Acrylic paint, heat transfer, beads and thread on crushed satin
Size: 91.5cm x 70cm x 2.5cm

7

Limitless Gina

Specialising in Family Law, Gina Samuel-Richards is a solicitor based in Leicester who was elected as Leicestershire Law Society’s first…
7

The portrait depicts a Black woman sat on a slight angle to the left. She wears a patterned full length dress with a black long sleeve t-shirt underneath, gold collar necklace, bracelets, rings and earrings. She sits in front of a muted orange floral background with script following the curve of the body on the left side and a flower in the top left corner.

Limitless Gina

Gina Samuel-Richards

Specialising in Family Law, Gina Samuel-Richards is a solicitor based in Leicester who was elected as Leicestershire Law Society’s first Black President 2022 – 2023.  Samuel-Richards is a co-founder and Director of AGR Law and is passionate about providing opportunities for the next generation of young people working in law.

Medium: Dye-sublimation textile print, thread and beads on cotton
Size: 86cm x 58cm x 4cm

8

The Luckiest Girl Alive

As a Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivor, Hoda Ali has dedicated her life to the eradication of FGM.  Through her…
8

A profile portrait of a Black woman facing to the left with her left hand cupping her neck. She wears red patterned fabric draped across her right shoulder, yellow beaded bracelets, gold earrings and rings. Her right hand holds a flower. The background features various tones of blue and grey.

The Luckiest Girl Alive

Hoda M Ali

As a Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivor, Hoda Ali has dedicated her life to the eradication of FGM.  Through her work as an Anti-FGM educator, Ali has worked in the NHS as a Sexual Health Nurse supporting thousands of patients including FGM surviors.  She co-founded The Vavengers, a charity committed to ending FGM and Gender-Based Violence.  Ali has advised with hundreds of organisations, businesses and government departments to campaign for the end of FGM.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on museum heritage paper
Size: 75cm x 58cm x 4cm

9

The Seeds we Plant

Multidisciplinary artist and writer, Zita Holbourne uses her platform within the arts to campaign for communities and human rights.  Holbourne…
9

A three-quarter profile photograph portrait of a Black woman in a floral patterned headscarf with loose curly afro hair, cradling a book with the continent of Africa on the front and some yellow and deep pink flowers, who shares a soft amused smile. Abstract light green shapes are stitched onto the photograph, which all sits on a woven raffia background.

The Seeds we Plant

Zita Holbourne FRSA

Multidisciplinary artist and writer, Zita Holbourne uses her platform within the arts to campaign for communities and human rights.  Holbourne is co-founder of Black Activists Rising Against the Cuts (BARAC), which campaigns against the impact of austerity on Black communities.  She is also a founding member of Movement Against Xenophobia (MAX), advocating for a more welcoming UK to immigrants and for more reasonable, less hostile debates surrounding immigration.

Medium: Transfer print, waxed thread, yarn on woven raffia
Size: 63cm x 51.5cm x 4.5cm

10

The Batsman

Engineer, Entrepreneurial Academic and Design Strategist, Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris’ work focuses on removing barriers that prevent members of the global…
10

A portrait of a Black woman with mid-length locks looking up to the left diagonal corner with her hand resting on her chin. She wears a patterned dark blue and silver top, which compliments the deep blue background with a floral like background and a orange flower in the top left corner.

The Batsman

Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris

Engineer, Entrepreneurial Academic and Design Strategist, Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris’ work focuses on removing barriers that prevent members of the global majority from achieving their career goals.  As the founder of Black Female Academics’ Network, Morris uses this platform to make connections to further research within the community and to train and develop Black women.  Morris is also Associate Professor of Human Activity and Project Design Development at the University of Leeds.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on Museum Heritage paper
Size: 80cm x 117cm x 1cm

11

Long Eyelashes

Fashion and lifestyle blogger, Heroda Berhane is also a disability advocate, educator and Deaf activist.  Through BEING HER, a platform…
11

A three-quarter profile photograph portrait of a Black woman with her arms crossed across her body. She wears gold circular earrings, a ring and bracelets; a blue and yellow detailed patterned top that compliments the deep blue background that features some irregular square patches of tonal blue and orange floral shapes that surround the outline of the sitter and her right forearm.

Long Eyelashes

Heroda Berhane

Fashion and lifestyle blogger, Heroda Berhane is also a disability advocate, educator and Deaf activist.  Through BEING HER, a platform she founded with her twin sister, Berhane aims to dismantle the prejudice around Deaf and disabled people.  By refusing to let being Deaf define and hold her back, Berhane has also featured in commercial modelling.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on Hahnemühle Omega
Size: 90cm x 66cm x 3cm

12

Curly Hair

Disability advocate, educator and Deaf activist, Hermon Berhane uses her platform with her twin sister, BEING HER, to tell people…
12

The full face portrait depicts a Black woman with her left hand resting under her chin. She is wearing her hair down, silver rings, bracelets and a necklace. A red tie dye tonal dress that compliments the deep red background that features some irregular square patches of tonal red and white, with blue floral like shapes that surround the outline of the sitter.

Curly Hair

Hermon Berhane

Disability advocate, educator and Deaf activist, Hermon Berhane uses her platform with her twin sister, BEING HER, to tell people to embrace disability and not hide it and plans to break down barriers for Deaf and disabled people.  As well as her passion for fashion and travel, Berhane is also an actress and uses her journey to inspire others.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on Hahnemühle Omega
Size: 90cm x 66cm x 3cm

13

Everlasting

1937 – 2020 ‘Bay Diva’, Jazz singer, author, model, actress and activist, Patti Flynn was internationally renowned for her cabaret…
13

This portrait on a record cover is of a Black woman smiling with joy and enthusiasm, wearing a white dress surrounded by daffodils and angel wings behind her. Her name is placed in yellow large print to left side and top left corner, contrasting against the deep blue background.

Everlasting

Patti Flynn

1937 – 2020

‘Bay Diva’, Jazz singer, author, model, actress and activist, Patti Flynn was internationally renowned for her cabaret performances and locally remembered for her nearly three decades long campaign for remembrance.  Flynn campaigned for 27 years for a memorial to recognise Black and ethnic minority soldiers who died during WWI and WWII.  She was also the first Black woman to receive a purple plaque, a commemoration for women in Wales.  Alongside her success with her memorial campaign, Flynn was also one of the founding members of Black History Wales.

Medium: 300gsm vinyl cover print
Size: 32.5cm x 32.5cm x 0.5cm

14

The First A-Lister

Classical and contemporary pianist, Ify Iwobi is the first Welsh-Nigerian to have nine consecutive A-List tracks on BBC Radio Wales. …
14

A profile photograph portrait of a Black woman wearing a floral dress and her hair pushed to the back in a low ponytail. Her right hand rests underneath her chin as she looks into the distance. A large blue rectangle and smaller pink rectangle sit behind her in the background, featuring a few stars and faint white lines on the top left corner.

The First A-Lister

Ify Iwobi

Classical and contemporary pianist, Ify Iwobi is the first Welsh-Nigerian to have nine consecutive A-List tracks on BBC Radio Wales.  As a composer of over 33 original pieces, Iwobi has a wide music style from showcasing pop to R&B to Afrobeats.  Iwobi is also the Founder and Project Officer for Crossing Borders, a music and heritage project, which focuses on young global majority music and dance participants in Swansea and seeing how their heritage can influence their music and dance.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on Ilford Galerie
Size: 93cm x 65cm x 1.5cm

15

The Voiceless will be Heard

Founder and CEO of Race Council Cymru, Uzo Iwobi has been a major influence for communities in Wales.  Leading as…
15

A three-quarter profile photograph portrait of a Black woman who has a comforting smile. She wears a purple patterned dress with a deep purple shawl and a matching headscarf and she is also wearing a silver necklace and earrings. In the left front foreground features three closed risen fists, this is also repeated slightly more faded to the right side in the background of the sitter. A textured faint worded background sits behind the full piece.

The Voiceless will be Heard

Professor Uzo Iwobi CBE FLSW FRSA

Founder and CEO of Race Council Cymru, Uzo Iwobi has been a major influence for communities in Wales.  Leading as a race and diversity practice consultant and solicitor, Iwobi has received recognition for her outstanding work and has been awarded an OBE for services to community relations and South Wales communities.  She also received a CBE for services to racial equality, diversity and inclusion.  Iwobi has worked as Specialist Advisor on Equality to the Welsh Government, served with the Police National Diversity team at the Home Office developing national policies on race and diversity.  She also founded the African Community Centre, the first of its kind in Wales and she leads learning and development schemes for elders as a part of the Windrush Cymru Elders Scheme.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on Museum Heritage paper
Size: 72cm x 54cm x 2cm

16

The First Muse

1835 – 1924 Fanny Eaton was a model for the pre-raphaelite brotherhood between 1859 – 1867 and also modelled for…
16

A Black woman with loose curly afro hair presented in a three-quarter profile, shares a calm expression. She wears a floral dress, layered pearl necklaces and gold earrings. In the foreground and background there are a variety of pink tonal flowers and leaves. This is complimented with a dark green background and a deep green thick lines, one in front of the sitter and one behind.

The First Muse

Fanny Eaton

1835 – 1924

Fanny Eaton was a model for the pre-raphaelite brotherhood between 1859 – 1867 and also modelled for the Royal Academy of Arts School of Painting.  Eaton made her modelling debut in Simeon Solomon’s painting The Mother of Moses, 1860, where she depicted both Jochebed and Miriam.  No records remain of Eaton’s thoughts at this time and it is unknown as to why she entered this career.

Medium: Muslin, cotton, acrylic paint, ink, heat transfer, yarn, thread and fabriano paper
Size: 119cm x 88cm x 3cm

17

The Gentle Leader

Current Executive Director of Clore Leadership, Hilary Carty can be described as a cultural consultant, facilitator and coach in leadership,…
17

A collage style portrait featuring two photographs of a Black woman with short afro hair wearing a black turtle neck jumper, a silver necklace and silver and black earrings. The photographs are layered on top of one another, one smaller in the background showing a full face photograph and the other a profile photograph where the sitter looks to the left side is aligned in the foreground. Neutral textured tones are used in the background.

The Gentle Leader

Hilary S Carty OBE

Current Executive Director of Clore Leadership, Hilary Carty can be described as a cultural consultant, facilitator and coach in leadership, strategic management and organisational development ,whose work reflects her values that arts and culture make a valuable impact on society.  Carty has held various leadership roles throughout her career including Director of Culture and Education at London 2012 Olympic Games, Director of Dance for Arts Council England and Director of the Cultural Leadership Programme.

Medium: Fine art photographic print on Ilford Galerie
Size: 110cm x 76.5cm x 3.5cm

18

Confronting the Gaze

1960 – 2008 Multidisciplinary artist, writer and curator, Maud Sulter’s work referenced many historical and mythological subjects.  Exhibitions of her…
18

This digital head and shoulders style portrait showcases a Black woman wearing detailed gold dropped earrings with violet lipstick. She is surrounded by a black background that features yellow hue patterns across the bottom, blue floral-like lines coming out from the sitters shoulders, a yellow paint stroke halo behind her head and various blue and yellow petal flowers and leaves above her head.

Confronting the Gaze

Maud Sulter

1960 – 2008

Multidisciplinary artist, writer and curator, Maud Sulter’s work referenced many historical and mythological subjects.  Exhibitions of her work were featured across the UK, including V&A Museum, Tate Liverpool, The People’s Gallery and Scottish National Portrait Gallery.  Sulter’s focus was putting Black women back in the centre of the frame, whether this was literally within her photographic work or also within cultural institutions.  Sulter was also active within feminist communities and worked with a women’s education group called ‘Check It’.

Medium: Video art inspired by La Chevelure (2002) by Maud Sulter. National Galleries Scotland © Estate of Maud Sulter. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2024

19

Mama Elouise, A Flame that Warms

1932 – 2021 Activist and civil rights campaigner, Elouise Edwards made her mark in Manchester.  Throughout her life, Edwards was…
19

This digital headshot style black and white portrait of a Black woman with short afro hair parted to the right side shares a knowing look. In the foreground it features a vibrant sunflower and zoomed in sunflowers in the lower background and abstract painted blue and light pink upper background.

Mama Elouise, A Flame that Warms

Elouise Edwards MBE

1932 – 2021

Activist and civil rights campaigner, Elouise Edwards made her mark in Manchester.  Throughout her life, Edwards was an active community worker and was involved with many organisations across Greater Manchester, including her role as a social worker at the Moss Side Family Advice Centre and co-founded Manchester Black Women’s Mutual Aid, Abasindi Co-Operative and Arawak Housing Association.

Medium: Video art

20

Geraldine's Joy

1952 – 2011 Theatre director, ethnomusicologist and composer, Geraldine Conner was regarded as one of the most influential Black female…
20

A vibrant digital portrait of a Black woman with shoulder length locks and a blue and black patterned headband shares a joyful smile. She wears a silver layered necklace and a deep teal top with various abstract shapes across the fabric. The background features a large pink tonal textured rose predominant to the left side and various smaller flowers, leaves and blue hue background.

Geraldine's Joy

Dr Geraldine Connor MMus LRSM DipEd

1952 – 2011

Theatre director, ethnomusicologist and composer, Geraldine Conner was regarded as one of the most influential Black female theatricians to emerge in 21st Century Britain.  Touring as a performer, musician and teacher Connor also composed and directed multiple theatre projects, such as Chesa Chesa, Carnival Messiah, Yaa Asantewaa – Warrior Queen and more.

Medium: Video art

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