Jeda Pearl Lewis – Beloved Black

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Oct 212020
 

Museum of Edinburgh, 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD

A newly commissioned poem written by Edinburgh based poet Jeda Pearl Lewis, titled ‘Beloved Black’ the text begins

Black is the absorption of all visible light
You are life
You are the scattered dust of stars, full-spectrum,
generating the cosmos throughout spacetime
You are a gift

Jeda Pearl is a Scottish-Jamaican writer & poet and a Programme Manager for the Scottish BAME Writers Network. In 2019, she was awarded Cove Park’s Emerging Writer Residency and shortlisted for the Bridge Awards. Her writing is published by TSS Publishing, Momaya Press, Tapsalteerie
and Shoreline of Infinity.

Jeda Pearl Lewis

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Beatrice Ajayi – Croi Croga

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Oct 212020
 

Museum of Childhood, 42 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TG

With a West African heritage, fine artist and illustrator Beatrice Ajayi was born in Scotland. Having both cultures laced through her upbringing gave her a perspective that is creative, refreshing and unique. There is a freedom of expression that entwines an endless supply of narrative. As a child, she spent most of her time drawing writing stories, dancing and singing her own songs. After completing an Art Foundation course at Croydon College in Surrey, she went on to do a BA (Hons) Degree at Nottingham Trent University.

Beatrice’s work has been described as both “engaging and daring”, and been exhibited in galleries across the UK. Since her early teens, she has continued to develop her unique style as a fine artist and illustrator.
This new piece, in a style she describes as African Anime, was specially designed for the Mural Trail and is inspired by her experience of growing up as a Black Scottish child.

Beatrice Ajayi

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
http://www.beatriceajayi.com/

Ayo Adedeji

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Oct 212020
 

The Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL

Ayo Adedeji was born In Lagos, Nigeria and moved to the UK at one year old. A self-taught artist, based in Edinburgh. Ayo creates his images using traditional graphite pencils, charcoal and transfers these images onto various digital platforms.

Ayo Adedeji

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
https://www.instagram.com/buludej/

Kokumo Fadeke Rocks

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Oct 212020
 

The Writers’ Museum, Lawnmarket, Lady Stair’s Cl, Edinburgh EH1 2PA

Kokumo was raised in Cowdenbeath. She describes herself as an African/Asian /Scottish writer and performance poet and has performed in the UK, USA, India and Africa. Her collections Bad Ass Raindrop (2002), Stolen From Africa (2007), and Happily Drowning (2019) were published by Luath Press.

This exhibit showcases two poems written by Kokomo Fadeke Rocks titled ‘Stolen From Africa’ and ‘See You, See Me’.

Kokumo Fadeke Rocks

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
https://www.luath.co.uk/kokumo-rocks

Neon Requiem

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Oct 212020
 

The Royal Lyceum Theatre, 30b Grindlay St, Edinburgh EH3 9AX

These three complementary pieces are portraits of the artist’s grandmother and great aunts. All of which taught him the value of hard work and perseverance by achieving great success in various professional fields. They are some of the most successful people in the family and they are black women – one of, if not the single most overlooked and underrated demographic in modern society.

A midwife, a school teacher and a nurse. They nurtured, taught and healed others even when the world didn’t do the same for them. Never losing their pride, their poise or their power. Their lives don’t just matter. They’re essential. Here, they are celebrated. The pieces have been purposely made to look like distressed pop-art. Idols in makeshift, political iconology. An acknowledgement of the past as we look toward the future. Red for the sacrifices of our ancestors. Yellow for the wealth of knowledge and empowerment passed down to us. Green for the motherland and our hopes for it and our people’s future.

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
https://www.instagram.com/theneonrequiem/

Abz Mills – Scotland’s Call

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Oct 212020
 

Usher Hall, Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2EA

Abigail Mills aka Abz, is a queer Scottish-Jamaican tattoo and graffiti artist from Kirkcaldy. Abz has been an artist since childhood, always able to visualise and create ideas… Having been tattooing for over 9 years, Abz works in Glasgow, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy in a bright, colourful and thought-provoking style.

Abz work on the Usher Hall Glass wing calls for justice to Sheku Bayouh and her artwork on Lothian Road sits as a provocation to Scotland as a nation.

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
https://www.instagram.com/abzmillstattoos/

Various Musicians

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Oct 212020
 

Usher Hall, Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2EA

The musical lyrics of various Black and Asian Scottish artists speak to their lived experience of living in Scotland, including Eliza Shaddad, Emeli Sande, Helicopter Girl, Soom T and Young Fathers.

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/

Tony Kalisa – United We Stand

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Oct 212020
 

Edinburgh Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3AA

Tony Brown Kalisa is an 18-year-old self-taught graphic artist, born in Uganda he has called Edinburgh his home for 4 years. His style utilities a variety of images and techniques to build a design made up of many layers. Tony’s creative practice is continually inspired by his mother who raised him as a single parent with African values in a western context.

His artwork was inspired by the various protest that happened across the world in response to the killing of George Floyd and in support of Black Lives Matter and the fact that this show of solidarity was lead by young people of all races.

Tony Kalisa with his mum.

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
https://tayo-adekunle.format.com/collages

Saoirse Amira Anis – We Can Still Dance

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Oct 212020
 

Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House The Steadings, Wilkieston, Edinburgh EH27 8BY

Saoirse’s creative process is inspired by her fascination with interconnectedness and movement in both everyday life, and her cultural heritage. She considers the potential that lies in caring for ourselves and others and the extent to which this nurturing can benefit us both personally and politically.

“We Can Still Dance references the negative impact of Hollywood’s Magical Negro trope on myself and many others. This trope enforces the stereotype that Black people merely exist to nurture and support our white counterparts. I want to flip this stereotype to reinforce Audre Lorde’s idea that caring for ourselves as Black womxn is an act of political warfare and allows us to define our own destiny. We may project our light onto the world, but first, we must shine for ourselves.

Personally, I feel this self-nourishment while dancing. If ever I am confronted by fear, I try to remember that Audre told me “I can still dance”, and the fear turns itself into fire.

Saoirse Amira Anis

https://www.wezi.uk/mural-trail-locations/
https://www.instagram.com/blmmuraltrail/
https://www.saoirse-anis.com/

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