Art history perfectly combines my love of the visual image and fascination with events of the past. I am an official African Heritage Guide across three leading London museums – the Tate Modern (1 year), The British Museum (1 year) and the Victoria & Albert Museum (10 years).
I lead thematic tours across these institutions narrating the contributions of people of African descent. It is a pleasure to impart knowledge about obscure aspects of an art work or period of history to a willing public, taking them on journeys of discovery.
The content covered across each museum tour is as follows:
• Tate Modern– African Modernism and Afro-surrealism;
• British Museum– The Igbo Worldview; and
• Victoria & Albert Museum– the African presence in Baroque, Rococo and Neo-classical art.
All tours are free and open to members of the public. Specific information can be accessed via the tabs below.
Random fact – I am the first official African Heritage Guide in the British Museum’s 272-year history!
I also occasionally collaborate with other heritage institutions as was the case with the National Maritime Museum for their ‘Seeing Ourselves’ Podcast. I spoke extensively about Saartje Baartman and her experiences as a black woman of celebrity status in 19th century Europe. A link to the podcast recording can be accessed below.
Through this African heritage guided tour, I give a unique perspective on contemporary art framed through the lens of African Modernism and Afro-Surrealism.
African Modernism, a movement which refers to African artists influenced by western modernist concepts is characterised by a unique imagery infused with traditional African influences. By contrast Afro-Surrealism is a cultural aesthetic that places emphasis on uncovering the invisible world and engaging audiences in highly imaginative and dramatic ways to reflect the global black experience.
I reference the work of a handful of artists who have tapped into their subconscious to challenge traditional artistic and social norms. The tour includes the work of:
Tour dates are subject to change. Please double check this page on the day or call the Tate Modern on (0)20 7887 8888.
Image Credit: Untitled (A Map of the British Empire in America) 2021© Firelei Báez; courtesy of the artist and James Cohan, New York. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle
*Disclaimer – please note that photography will take place as part of my tour for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs may appear on this site. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the me know at the beginning of the tour.
The tours are free entry with no booking required. Meet me at the meeting point on Level 2, Natalie Bell Building.
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Location – Tate Modern Bankside, London SE1 9TG
My specially researched official V&A tour gives an overview of the African presence in 17th and 18th Century Europe as represented in a number of high-quality works. Europe during this period was on the cusp of massive change with much social, religious and economic upheaval. The period saw the Scientific Revolution and Age of Enlightenment.
I lead the tour speculating on the viewpoint of the African individuals portrayed; their stories and backgrounds. As part of the tour attendees will be looking at a number of known and unknown figures as well as the achievements of individuals of African descent in European history at a time when the African body would become symbolic of degradation.
From the Baroque to the Rococo and Neoclassical, the Europe 1600-1815 Galleries present an unrivalled collection of 17th and 18th century art and design in a period that was influential in forging the identity of the European lifestyle today.
*Disclaimer – please note that photography will take place as part of my tour for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs may appear on this site. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the me know at the beginning of the tour.
*The March, Tapestry Judocus De Vos (weaver), Philipp De Hondt (designer) (1718-1724) V&A London
The tour is free and drop-in. There is no booking procedure. Meet me the meeting point in the grand entrance of the Victoria & Albert Museum for a sharp 3.30pm start.
In this conversation, historian and film curator, Nadia Denton and artist Sharon Walters centre their discussion on a collection piece featuring Saartje (Sara) Baartman. Sara is a well-known figure who has a disturbing and tragic story. Nadia offers a response to Sara’s life story focusing on female power and exploitation in context to enslaved Africans. Please note that the content includes themes of sexual violence and a disturbing nature.
* La Venus Hottentote, George Luftus (1814) National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Michael Graham-Stewart Slavery Collection.
Acquired with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund
The Igbo world is an arena for the interplay of forces. It is a dynamic world of movement and of flux –
Chinua Achebe
The Igbo people are an ethnic group in Nigeria, with a distinct worldview and philosophy. One of the key aspects of the Igbo cosmology is their belief that everything in the universe is connected, and that every action has consequences that ripple through the web of interconnectedness.
Referencing a number of artefacts contained within the British Museum collection, I lead a narrative reflecting this theme of interconnectedness from an Igbo cultural perspective. The tour will include the following objects:
*Disclaimer – please note that photography will take place as part of my tour for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs may appear on this site. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the me know at the beginning of the tour.
Image Credit © The Trustees of the British Museum
The tours are free but must be booked in advance (tickets can be booked two months in advance of the tour date).
Meet me at the Information Desk in the Great Court, British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG.
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes