HOPE RIVER

1. 

   'Real Chocolate, Real Feelings', Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 155 x 100cm

   

   Shattered Innocence, Resilient Spirit, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 160 x 100cm

   

   Democracy is Hypocrisy, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic, pastel, and pen on unstretched canvas, 160 x 100cm

   

   Caution: Do Not Feed the Animals, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 160cm

   

   Johnson & Johnson Easing Skin Irritation of the Negro Since. 1994, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 160cm

   

   Three Negress Swarmed by a Thousand Niggers, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 160cm

   

   Gasp, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic, pastel, and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 155cm

   

   1, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   2, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   3, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   4, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   5, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   6, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   7, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   8, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, ink and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   9, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   

   10, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   11, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   12, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   13, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   14, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   15, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, ink and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   16, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, ink and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   17, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   

   18, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 28.4cm

   

   19, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 28.4cm

   

   20, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   

   21, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   

   22, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   

   23, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   

   24, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   

   25, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   

   26, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   

   27, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   

   28, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel, acrylic and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   

   29, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel, acrylic and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   

   30, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   • 1

     'Real Chocolate, Real Feelings', Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 155 x 100cm

   • 2

     Shattered Innocence, Resilient Spirit, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 160 x 100cm

   • 3

     Democracy is Hypocrisy, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic, pastel, and pen on unstretched canvas, 160 x 100cm

   • 4

     Caution: Do Not Feed the Animals, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 160cm

   • 5

     Johnson & Johnson Easing Skin Irritation of the Negro Since. 1994, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 160cm

   • 6

     Three Negress Swarmed by a Thousand Niggers, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 160cm

   • 7

     Gasp, Hope River, 2023, Acrylic, pastel, and pen on unstretched canvas, 100 x 155cm

   • 8

     1, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 9

     2, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 10

     3, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 11

     4, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 12

     5, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 13

     6, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 14

     7, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 15

     8, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, ink and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 16

     9, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 21 x 29.7cm

   • 17

     10, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 18

     11, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 19

     12, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 20

     13, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 21

     14, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 22

     15, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, ink and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 23

     16, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, ink and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 24

     17, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 21cm

   • 25

     18, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 28.4cm

   • 26

     19, Hope River, 2023, Pastel, pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 28.4cm

   • 27

     20, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   • 28

     21, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   • 29

     22, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   • 30

     23, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   • 31

     24, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   • 32

     25, Hope River, 2023, Pencil and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   • 33

     26, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   • 34

     27, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   • 35

     28, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel, acrylic and print on paper, 42 x 29.7cm

   • 36

     29, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel, acrylic and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   • 37

     30, Hope River, 2023, Pencil, pastel and print on paper, 29.7 x 42cm

   "You’re not black enough"

   /jʊə/nɒt/blak/ɪˈnʌf/

   1. A white person assuming the role of the authority on blackness, questioning and challenging the very essence of my identity. As if there exists a singular representation of what it means to be black.

   BLACK ENOUGH is inspired by the words “You’re not black enough,” a painful racial slur that River has repeatedly been victim of throughout her life. The exhibition wages war against the slur, ignites a social critique on racial cognitive dissonance, and explores the identity politics faced by mixed-race individuals who navigate life in a Eurocentric culture.

   Drawing from her experiences as a Black-British woman, River signposts haunting times that expose the reality of what it truly means to be ‘black enough.’ Black enough to be discriminated against, black enough to be assaulted, and black enough to be oppressed simply because of her racial identity. The artist describes the exhibition as a mirror of her sunken place. A metaphorical void where she feels trapped, emotionally supressed, and unable to live because her existence is questioned by an onslaught of racialised ideas.

   The visual narrative of silhouettes and caricatures throughout the exhibition allows River to distil poignant and powerful emotions that portray the weight of being ‘black enough.’ Echoing the sentiment of African-American artist Kara Walker, “I do what I am feeling, and what I’m feeling is monstrous. And I do it in the nicest possible way.” Veve (vodou symbols) are weaved throughout the exhibition, acting as conduits, points of meditation, to reclaim the energy stolen by the experiences of racism represented.

   BLACK ENOUGH is a raw unveiling of personal stories, compelling us to confront unsettling realities, challenge our preconceptions, and actively participate in conversations concerning identity, race, and society.