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Art History

Art history perfectly combines my history interests and love of the visual image. I have been an official African Heritage guide at the V&A in London since 2016. This is a voluntary role where I lead public tours in the 17th and 18th century Europe galleries. It has been a pleasure to impart knowledge about obscure aspects of history to a willing public. 2025 sees me join the Tate Modern and British Museum. Dates for forthcoming tours at all institutions are listed in the tabs below.

I also occasionally collaborate with other heritage institutions as was the case with the Greenwich Maritime Museum Seeing Ourselves Podcast. A link to the podcast recording can be accessed below.

African Modernism and Afro-Surrealism in the Tate Collection

Through this African heritage guided tour, I will 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 of African descent who have tapped into their subconscious to challenge traditional artistic and social norms. The tour includes the work of:

  • Betye Saar, an assemblage artist who calls herself a ‘conjurer’ and ‘a recycler’;
  • Uzo Egonu, who merged Igbo traditions, inspiration from Nok sculptures and a European style;
  • Ibrahim El-Salahi, whose work is inspired by Arabic and African sensibilities, forms and iconography;
  • conceptual artist Meschac Gaba’s whose Art and Religion Room From Museum of Contemporary African Art challenges notions of what’s perceived as art and religious artifact.

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

The tours are free entry with no booking required. Meet me at the meeting point on Level 2, Natalie Bell Building.
Duration: Approximately 45 – 60 minutes
Location – Tate Modern Bankside, London SE1 9TG

2025 Tour Dates

  • 3pm, Saturday
    5 April
  • 3pm, Saturday
    26 April
  • 3pm, Saturday
    10 May
  • 3pm, Saturday
    24 May
  • 3pm, Saturday
    14 June
  • 3pm, Saturday
    28 June

V&A INSPIRATION AFRICA: Stories Beyond the Artefacts

The African Gaze, Europe 1600 – 1815 Galleries

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.

*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.

2025 Tour Dates

  • Saturday 8 March
  • Saturday 12 April
  • Saturday 13 September
  • Location – Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

Greenwich Maritime Museum, Seeing Ourselves Podcast

The Black Female Body, Exploitation and Power

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.

Seeing Ourselves 2 – EP2 The Black Female Body, Exploitation and Power – National Maritime Museum Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

* 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