Simi Akintoye
My artistic practice centres on the perception and portrayal of black women in the media. Art has always been a way for me to explore my identity, and as a black immigrant woman, I have become increasingly conscious of my race and gender. Becoming hyper-aware of my identity has shaped my work into a study of existing portrayals of black women like me in the media. Initially, I wanted to explore the negative attitudes towards black women as depicted in the media, but gradually, my work shifted to celebrating the powerful portrayals of black women. This prompted me to create works that depict black women around me in striking ways, powerful and resolute, asserting presence and refusing passivity, remaining unaffected by imposed narratives. Through painting and mixed media, I explore the diverse ways I play with the themes of race and colour, highlighting the ambiguity of‘ being coloured’ as a societal construct. My works aim to challenge preconceived narratives surrounding black womanhood and also invite a reconsideration of how they are seen and represented.
My time studying Art at Sevenoaks has allowed me to explore my artistic abilities, broadening my skills. The Art department has been a vibrant and welcoming environment where I could immerse myself in creativity and where I was encouraged to experiment outside my comfort zone with different media and techniques. Looking back, my time there has encouraged me to stay open-minded and continue to think creatively. Enjoying the process of freely creating and expressing myself has been an amazing experience and I am grateful to the department for helping me achieve all that I have. Working on this exhibition throughout my two years at Sevenoaks has fundamentally shaped me as an artist, marking the beginning of my independent artistic journey.