Exhibition
now open

Get Up, Stand Up Now

Generations of Black Creative Pioneers

12 Jun – 15 Sep 2019
£12.50 / £9.50 concessions, Under 12s free
Telephone bookings 0333 320 2836

Mon, Tue, Sat & Sun 10.00-18.00, Wed-Fri 11.00-20.00

(last entry 1 hour prior to closing)

West Wing Galleries
West Wing

A major new exhibition celebrating the past 50 years of Black creativity in Britain and beyond.

Beginning with the radical Black filmmaker Horace Ové and his dynamic circle of Windrush generation creative peers and extending to today’s brilliant young Black talent globally, a group of 110 interdisciplinary artists are showcasing their work together for the first time, exploring Black experience and influence, from the post-war era to the present day.

"★★★★★ The abundance of great work make this unmissable"

Evening Standard
Get Up, Stand Up Now | Exhibition Trailer

9. Get Up, Stand Up Now © Peter Macdiarmid.jpg

VICTOR EKPUK, THE PHILOSOPHER (2018) Powder coated steel, SHRINE TO WISDOM (2019) Mixed media installation

In this multi-sensory experience, historic works and new commissions sit alongside items from personal archives, much of which has never been seen by the public before, tracing more than half a century of collective history. Curator Zak Ové – whose father Horace was the creator of the first feature film by a Black British director – has invited each artist to exhibit for becoming a true groundbreaker of their generation and their genre.

7. Get Up, Stand Up Now © Peter Macdiarmid.jpg

HORACE OVÉ, CLOWNS - TRINIDAD (1977). ZAK OVÉ, UMBILICAL PROGENITOR (2018). RASHID JOHNSON, FALLING MAN (2017).

Numerous works have been created especially for the exhibition, championing the wealth of Black creative talent working today. Highlights include an original soundtrack by Trinidadian DJ, producer and member of Major Lazer, Jillionaire, which is streamed throughout the exhibition space. Participating Somerset House Studios residents, including artist Larry Achiampong, musician Gaika and filmmaker Jenn Nkiru (who worked on Jay Z’s and Beyoncé’s APESH*T), also present new pieces for the show.

VIEW THE FULL ARTIST LIST

A Guy Called Gerald, Abe Odedina, Adjaye Associates, Ajamu, Alexis Peskine, Althea McNish, Anthea Hamilton, Anthony Joseph, Armet Francis, Aubrey Williams, Barbara Walker, Barby Asante, Barkley L. Hendricks, Benji Reid, Betye Saar, Black Audio Film Collective - John Akomfrah, Bradford Young, Caleb Femi, Campbell Addy, Carrie Mae Weems, Charlie Phillips, Che Lovelace, Chris Leacock (Jillionaire/Major Lazer), Chris Ofili, Cooly G, Cosmo Whyte, David A. Bailey, David Hammons, Deborah Roberts, Dennis Bovell, Denzil Forrester, Derrick Adams, Don Letts, Ebony G. Patterson, Elizabeth Colomba, Emheyo Bahabba ‘Embah’, Errol Lloyd, Faisal Abdu'Allah, Franklyn Rodgers, Gaika, Gary Simmons, Glenn Ligon, Gordon Parks, Grace Nichols, Grace Wales Bonner, Hank Willis Thomas, Hassan Hajjaj, Helen Cammock, Hew Locke, Horace Ové, Hurvin Anderson, Ishmahil Blagrove, Jay Bernard, Jazzie B, Jenn Nkiru, Julie Mehretu, Kehinde Wiley, Keith Piper, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Larry Achiampong, Lavar Munroe, Lezley Saar, Libita Clayton, Lina Iris Viktor,  Linton Kwesi Johnson, LR Vandy, Lubaina Himid, Marlene Smith, Marlon James, Martine Rose, Maud Sulter, Merle Van den Bosch, Mickalene Thomas, Mowalola Ogunlesi, Nari Ward, Neil Kenlock, Nick Cave, Niyi Olagunju, Normski, Oliver Hardt, Patrick Betaudier, Paul Anthony Smith, Paul Maheke, Pauline Black, Peter Doig, Phoebe Boswell, Rashid Johnson, Rhea Storr, Richard Mark Rawlins, Ronald Moody, Ronan McKenzie, Sanford Biggers, Satch Hoyt, Selina Nwulu, Shabaka Hutchings, Sonia Boyce, Stephen Burks, Steve McQueen, Thick/er Black Lines, Thomas J. Price, Umar Rashid (Frohawk Two Feathers), Vanley Burke, Victor Ekpuk, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Young Fathers, Zadie Smith, Zak Ové, Zanele Muholi, Zoe Bedeaux

ISHMAHIL BLAGROVE JR. FREE SPEECH PLATFORM (2015)
YINKA SHONIBARE CBE, REVOLUTION KID (CALF) (2012)

Get Up, Stand Up Now would not have been possible without all our Exhibition Catalysts; including the Afference Trust, Arts Council England, Art Fund, ArtLab Africa, Adonyeva Foundation, CLM, Green Park Interim & Executive Limited, Island Records, Ilesha Charitable Trust, The Roden Family Foundation, and Trojan Records (part of BMG).

In association with