Pawlet Brookes MBE is a strong voice within Leicester’s black community – a tireless champion of cultural diversity and the arts. Here she tells us what her organisation ‘The Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage’ has planned for Black History Month here in the city.
Black History Month is a much-needed presence in the British cultural calendar. Since its foundation in 1987, it has been an opportunity to establish artistic and educational programmes, to celebrate Black excellence and for all to support and learn from the African and African Caribbean community.
For Pawlet Brookes, the annual October fixture is an important spotlight for the work that needs to take place year-round. Although Black women have made their mark in a great number of disciplines, art is one sector which is lacking in representation, she says. Through Serendipity, it is part of her mission to change that and it’s something that she’s been doing since the inception of the charity back in 2010.
“At the time of writing, the Art UK website lists 31,037 artworks as portraits and only 114 are tagged as Black women,” she points out.
“I work with an artist and activist called Nora Chipaumire, on the podcast series, ‘Black Manifesto!’ Nora describes Black women as “the earth that holds everyone else up”. Black women themselves also have to inhabit many different roles; as artists, activists, leaders, educators and caregivers. I think this is something that needs to be respected.
“I am proud of everything that Black women have achieved, but I think that more support is needed from across different communities, whether they be Black-led or woman-led.”
On the calendar for Black History Month here in Leicester is a rich programme of exhibitions, films, poetry, performance, theatre and talks representing the best of Black arts and heritage.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Black Women: Invisible Power.’
At Leicester Gallery, a powerful exhibition is taking place, featuring ‘100 Black Women who have made a Mark’ in sectors including activism, arts, education, politics, science and technology. Trailblazers including Dame Jocelyn Barrow – the first Black woman to be appointed as a Governor of the BBC, Elvy Morton, one of the founders of Leicester’s Caribbean Carnival and broadcaster Brenda Emmanus OBE form part of the exhibition, which can be viewed until January 4.
“While the exhibition features many familiar faces, I wanted to ensure that we’re representing women whose contributions are often behind the scenes, and we opened nominations to the public to ensure that not just the well-known names would be selected,” Pawlet tells Pukaar.
“I am keen to stress that the final selected are not a definitive list, but rather a snapshot of 100 out of many Black women who deserve recognition. My hope is that the exhibition will create a sense of joy and celebration so that visitors to the gallery are greeted by the warmth and spirit of 100 Black women.”
The portraits have been produced by five Black artists, namely; Valerie Asiimwe Amani, Yvadney Davis, Gayle Ebose, Grace Lee and Lauryn Pinard. They have brought a wealth of styles and techniques to the project: traditional portraiture, textile art, collage with vintage wallpaper and even dance.
“The result is a wonderful, eclectic mix of portraits, each tailored to the personality of the sitter,” says Pawlet.
“It’s rare to walk into a gallery and see that every portrait of a woman is by a woman artist, let alone 100 portraits where both the sitter and the artist is a Black woman. When you look at the collections of most major galleries, how many of the portraits were painted by Black women? How many of the portraits have Black female sitters? Where they do, how do the portraits represent Black women? Are the sitters even named? What are their stories? There is no parity when it comes to representation.”
In 2022, Pawlet was awarded an MBE for services to the arts and cultural diversity, owing to her impressive CV and her unwavering commitment to the passions she strives towards.
When asked about being something of a trailblazer herself, she says:
“I think everyone should have the opportunity to be considered a role model if they are seeking to do the best in their work or practice, support others and influence positively.
“My Mum always said “if you do good it will follow your child”, so I have always been motivated to create change for my daughter and other young people,” she adds.
To view the exhibition, visit Leicester Gallery, which sits in De Montfort University’s Vijay Patel Building.
To find out more about what’s on in Leicester during Black History Month, visit: www.serendipity-uk.com/whats-on/key-events/black-history-month/
