BLACK VENUS – Representation & Shifting Legacy of Black Women
Aindrea Emelife curates the Black Venus exhibition, uniting 18 Black women and non-binary artists to explore themes of othering, fetishisation, and reclamation within contemporary visual culture.
Featuring over 40 contemporary artworks, primarily photography, Black Venus celebrates the diverse facets of Black femininity and challenges historical objectification dynamics.
Inspired by three historical depictions—the Hottentot Venus, the Sable Venus, and the Jezebel—the exhibition contextualizes representations of Black women from 1793 to 1930, shedding light on prevalent caricatures.
Originally debuted at New York’s Fotografiska in 2022, Black Venus now arrives in London at Somerset House, showcasing over 19 new artworks and highlighting 6 UK-based artists, contributing to the ongoing conversation about reclaiming Black women’s narratives in visual culture.
