GARVEY LIVES!!!
MOSIAH LIVES!!!

Although it took several decades to acknowledge, the creative flourish known as the Harlem Renaissance and the advent of “The New Negro” was very much inspired by the Garvey Movement. (1) To illustrate this, it was when the potential revolutionary infrastructure that the UNIA-ACL provided began to falter due to the war declared on it by the USA government (2), that the Harlem Renaissance was largely co-opted by whites. (3)

The next major artistic uprising happened in the 1960s during the period of Afrikan independence (the “Afrikan decade”) and Black Power. (4) Prominent writer from that era Larry Neal referred to the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s as the “…aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept.” (5)

Inspired by their counterparts in the USA the corresponding era in the UK took place in the 1970s into the 1980s, spearheaded by luminaries like Cosmo Ben Imhotep (and Ras Messengers/Angels collectives), Lioness Chant, The African Dawn, Benjamin Zephaniah, Keith Piper, Eddie Chambers, Sonia Boyce and Shakka Dedi. (6) The artists, be they visual, verbal or musical firmly nailed their colours to the mast:

“The work of the black artist should be seen as having specific positive functions: a tool to assist us in our struggle for liberation, both at home and abroad as opposed to simply reflecting the moral bankruptcy of our modern times… Black art at the very least, should indicate and/or document change. It should seek to effect such change by aiming to help create an alternative set of values necessary to better living. Otherwise it fails to be legitimate art.” (7)

However, it might be worth exploring the extent to which ‘Black Art’ is able to flourish outside of these periods of intense political and social activity. With the ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests of 2020 failing to evolve into anything more substantial, the present day is an ideal time to take stock. But the recent re-release of Ras AnkAnum’s 1985 set Songs Of The Motherland is both a testament to the enduring quality of that work and perhaps a harbinger of a new renaissance.

Encouragingly, we also have young artists like Multi Disciplinary artist Stella B with her latest solo exhibition called Celebrating Hidden Histories, Goldframing Women in the Revolution from August 14th to 22nd, 2024. The collection is an evocative collection that spotlights female (and some male) figures whose contributions have been relegated to the periphery of history. Each piece is accompanied by Stella’s original poetry (https://shoobs.com/events/98834/panel-discussion-hidden-histories-the-importance-of-herstory):

“It is a bold statement that seeks to redress the historical neglect of female figures. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to reframe and elevate the narratives that shape our collective memory.” (8)

Sis, Stella also works alongside fellow travellers Revolutionary Minds – a community orientated project that each month honours a historical Afrikan great who has been either omitted or misrepresented by the mainstream media – in particular film and the education system that showcases their work each month at Auntie Jean’s Afrikan Culture Market and online via Kimbunga Media. (9)

So whereas the current political/cultural landscape may not be as dynamic as the 1970s/80s, there are echoes of that era that resonant today. Along with the embedding of the Mosiah season, now in its 27th year and the recent launch of the Pan-Afrikan People’s Parliament, it remains to be seen is these elements, and others, can be forged into a full blown revolutionary movement.

(1) Tony Martin (1983) Literary Garveyism: Garvey, Black Arts, and the Harlem Renaissance. The Majority Press. In his back cover book endorsement Henry Louis Gates proclaims: “Perhaps an adequate manner by which to characterise the importance of Professor Martin’s work is this:every other study on both the Harlem Renaissance and Afr0-American literature is now out of date.”
(2) Afrika Speaks with Alkeb-Lan on Galaxy Radio (06/08/22) #WeExonerateGarvey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?; Loop News (11/02/22) Jamaica to push for exoneration of Marcus Garvey — GG. https://jamaica.loopnews.com/
(3) Martin. p. 157-9
(4) Jean Allman (2018) AHR Reflections The Fate of All of Us: African Counterrevolutions and the Ends of 1968. American Historical Review. p. 728. https://academic.oup.com/ahr/
(5) Kalamu ya Salaam (1997) The Black Arts Movement (BAM) in The Oxford Companion to African American Literature.  Oxford University Press. https://aalbc.com/authors/
(6) Eddie Chambers (2017) Roots & Culture: Cultural Politics in the Making of Black Britain. Bloomsbury Visual Arts. p. 185
(7) Chambers. 184. Excerpt from the catalogue essay of the 1981 Black Art an’ done exhibition, written by Rasheed Araeen.
(8) The Africa Centre (2024) Stella B -Celebrating Hidden Histories, Goldframing Women in the Revolution. https://www.africacentre.org.uk/Event/stella-b-celebrating-hidden-histories-goldframing-women-in-the-revolution
(9) Kimbunga Media (16/08/24) REVOLUTIONARY MINDS! • The Most Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkKapTO39MQ

we ask the question:

Can Art inspire the Movement?

1) Where do revolutionary artists get their inspiration from?
2) What value is art to the Liberation movement?
3) Why have female historical contributions been “relegated to the periphery”?
4) Are we on the verge of a new renaissance?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Sis. Stella B: is a creative arts graduate who uses mixed media to create innovative approach blends visual and literary elements. Her work addresses themes of identity, memory, and social justice, aiming to challenge and expand the boundaries of traditional narratives that restrict some groups from being fairly comprehended. She has been producing as a part of Revolutionary Minds – a community orientated project that each month honours a historical Afrikan great who has been either omitted or misrepresented by the mainstream media – in particular film and the education system. Her latest exhibtion is Celebrating Hidden Histories, Goldframing Women in the Revolution at The Africa Centre from 14th to 22nd Mosiah.

Bro. Nat Nye: the Lyrical Alkhemist is a Custodian of Culture utilising the mediums of Spoken Word & Music to empower and enlighten. An Entrepreneur, Master of Ceremonies, Presenter, Podcaster, Bitcoin Advocate, NFT Enthusiast, Workshop Facilitator, Thought Leader.

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