Decentralise

Decentralise invites you to engage virtually with over 16 key objects from, and inspired by, Somerset House’s exhibition past, spanning Afro-nowism, Afrofuturism, political arts and disobedient objects, through design, interaction and play.

The project delves into Somerset House’s exhibition archive, from Get Up, Stand Up Now (2019) and Return of the Rudeboy (2014) to 2026: Utopian Voices Here & Now (2016), to host illustrated objects inspired by some of today’s pioneering contemporary Black artists and creators including GAIKA, Richard Rawlins and Althea McNish.

Using these objects as materials, you are able to build your own artistic creations and contribute to the Decentralise archive, exploring how themes from the exhibition archive relate to the personal and collective experiences of what it means to be Black and British.

Following the launch of Decentralise, we'll be hosting a social takeover by our Future Producers and an in conversation event with the collective and their collaborators COMUZI. All of this will give you the chance to explore the process, inspiration and journey behind the platform's creation, while having a go at getting involved

This project forms part of Somerset House’s recent Anti-racism Pledge, which commits to conducting, and making available, new research into what is currently understood of Somerset House’s social history.

The Somerset House Future Producers programme is supported by Art Fund, with additional support for this programme from Pinterest