In support of Black Lives Matter, we have commissioned a further two artworks as part of our UTOPIA series; one to champion and platform a Black artist, Symoné and one to highlight the important work being done by community mental health group, Mary Seacole House, who are run by and primarily for people of colour. We invited both to respond to our commission brief as they saw fit.

Symoné

A multidisciplinary performer. She is currently developing an ongoing project, UTOPIAN (t&c’s apply), a live performance piece that responds to the abuse of power roles in cults and underground party culture. Conflicting with their guise of utopia, Symoné relieves the darker side, exploring brainwashing and the abuse of power that can happen in these environments.

For Utopia, Symoné has provided a glimpse of UTOPIAN (t&c's apply) in a movement video piece called, OASIS. Symoné envisions an environment with a sense of collective euphoria and togetherness.

Mary Seacole House

A charity based in Toxteth, set up to provide support services primarily to people of colour and refugees with mental health issues. 

Some of their members, volunteers, and staff have responded to themes of UTOPIA by exploring their thoughts on the current social climate through photography, collage, and writing. Service users have taken part in various activities to create a collection of postcards that document their experience of 2020, envisioned to be sent out to a future generation.