About this Event
In a new exhibition this autumn, The Studio – Staging Desire, Autograph will present never-before-seen works by artist Rotimi Fani-Kayode. From 1983 until his death in 1989, the artist lived and worked in Brixton, where his studio transcended into a sanctuary visualising black queer self-expression. His masterfully staged and crafted portraits, sometimes quietly monochromatic and at other times rich in saturated colour, stand as powerful, resolutely ambiguous, visual statements. At the core of Fani-Kayode’s practice is an important emphasis on the cultural politics of difference.
In response to the show, artist Alexander Ikhide will lead an intimate workshop expanding on the possibilities of self- expression. Ikhide’s mixed media works blend photography, collage and illustration to explore the body, identity, and the unconscious through abstract expressionism and symbolism.
Surrounded by the exhibition, participants will draw inspiration from Rotimi’s work and visual references within nature to create a surreal and symbolic self portrait that connects with spirituality and desire through abstract shape, colour, and physical form. They will also get an exclusive look at works within the collection that are not included in the exhibition.
We'd like you to know that some of the reproduced artworks used in this collage workshop may contain nudity, and as a result is for adults aged 18+.
The ticket price for this event is £8. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If this ticket price is unaffordable for you please get in touch with Harriet at about free ticketing options.
Workshop leader
Alexander Ikhide is a multidisciplinary visual artist working in photography, collage (analogue/digital), painting and drawing, exploring ideas of the body as well as a merging of photography and painting to produce mixed media abstract works on paper.
Through a method of gestural abstraction and mark making, taking on influence from an abstract expressionist tradition alongside ideas explored from the surrealist and symbolist movements, which have origins and roots in pre-colonial African traditions and rituals. A mining of unconscious images that lay dormant in the psyche are visualised and made manifest in the physical, as a means to process and understand the physical and spiritual dimensions of being a person of both African and queer identity.
Your Visit to Autograph
Everyone is welcome at Autograph. Planning a visit? Have a look at our Visit Us page to find out more about getting to the gallery, accessibility and more.
Limited tickets: This is an intimate event with a limited amount of tickets. We highly recommend booking a ticket in advance.
Accessible venue: Autograph welcomes people with all types of disabilities.
Step free: Our building and entrance is step free. A wheelchair accessible lift goes to all floors.
Location: This event will take place in Gallery 2, on the second floor.
Supplies provided: All materials will be provided at the workshop.
Ticketing policy
The ticket price for this event is £8. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If this ticket price is unaffordable for you please get in touch with Harriet at [email protected] about free ticketing options.
Autograph's events are popular, and often sell out. We recommend booking a ticket in advance. If you need to cancel your ticket for any reason, you can receive a refund up to 24 hours before the start of the event. You do not need to bring your paper ticket to the event.
Autograph supported by
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Autograph ABP Registered in England no. 2285116 | Registered Charity no. 1127712
Images: 1) Alexander Ikhide, Natural Occurrence I [detail]. Collage on paper. 2014. Courtesy the artist. 2) Autograph, London. Photograph by Zoë Maxwell.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Autograph, Rivington Place, London, United Kingdom
GBP 8.00
