Tapestry of Black Britons at Arnolfini

Curated by founder and creative director Paula Ogun Hector and expertly woven by Bristol-based textile company Dash + Miller, this evolving exhibition explores the African and Caribbean contribution to Britain from the Romans onwards, echoing the Bayeux Tapestry and incorporating Kente cloth weaving and Caribbean textiles.

Individual woven panels will be uniquely created in the style of an artist, featuring portraits, seminal historical moments, protest, joy, African deities and diasporic poetic imagery. This work addresses gaps in British history, drawing attention to over 1,500 years of Black presence.

For its opening stage at Arnolfini, the panels on display will be devoted to World War II service people, marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This living artwork, inspired by artists and critical thinkers including Chris Ofili, Sonia Boyce, Bisa Butler, Zak Ove, Godfried Donkor, Yinka Shonibare, Vladimir Cybil Charlier and Yvadney Davis, highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Black British, Caribbean and African service members to the war effort.

Adeche Atelier - the creative partnership of Adwoa Botchey and Solomon Adebiyi - brings African mythology to life through their commissioned Yoruba Creation Story, which will be woven into a new tapestry on display. The exhibition also features a captivating soundscape designed by Gary Stewart, an interdisciplinary artist with over 30 years of experience examining social and political issues of identity, culture and technology through sound, moving image and computational creativity.

As this interdisciplinary project develops and travels throughout the UK, the Tapestry of Black Britons will continue to grow through contributions from artists, poets, universities, academics, schools, heritage organisations and communities across Britain and the diaspora. The exhibition creates space for diasporic imagination while showcasing the latest in digital design, believing in the power of storytelling to uplift and transform communities while fostering a deeper understanding of our collective history.