sUMMER 2022

Queens

“I think any black woman is a queen. It’s just, do you know it? Do you see it in yourself? Do you recognize it, do you abide by that, do you define yourself as that? Based on who we are and what we’ve been through and how we survive and where we stand, we are on a kind of sacred ground. We stand on the backs of our ancestors.”

— Ava DuVernay

This project is a response to the Queen’s platinum jubilee and an exploration of what a true Queen looks like. Featuring a diverse, multi-generational selection of Black British ‘Queens’ from our local area of Tottenham, London, QUEENS aims to shine a spotlight on the Black British experience within a country reigned by a monarch that doesn’t look like them, represents a status quo that is often harmful to them, and whose life and experiences feel a world away from our own.

QUEENS also explores how creative expression allows us to see someone’s innate regality, using a creative mix of traditional regal elements such as swords and crowns, inspired by paintings of British Monarchs from the past, with African and Afro-futuristic elements that reflect the heritage and history of the participants.

Produced by Arts Bridge Charity with photographer Steve Bright, in partnership with Bernie Grant Arts Centre, and photographed at Alexandra Palace, this project was a truly positive collaboration, bringing together and uplifting women and LGBTQIA+ individuals from the local area and celebrating the Queens that walk among us.

Photographer: Steve Bright . Creative Producer: Amanda Bright . Makeup: Nohelia Reyes and Nina Lewis . Stylist: Grace Lee . Assistants: Derek Bremner and Anna Jobarteh . In partnership with Bernie Grant Arts Centre . With thanks to Bevali McKenzie (Community Arts Producer, Bernie Grant Arts Centre) and Alexandra Palace .

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