An artist who helped organize the first National Black Art Convention in the UK has been nominated for the Turner Prize.
Claudette Elaine Johnson, MBE, is one of four shortlisted artists competing for the award, with the winner to be announced on December 3.
The recognition comes after two solo exhibitions last year: “Presence” at the Courtauld Gallery, London, and “Drawn Out” at Ortuzar Projects, New York.
She is known for her large-format drawings of black women and is one of the founding members of the BLK art group.
In 1979, just over a decade after Enoch Powell’s infamous Rivers of Blood speech, a group of black students met at what was then the Wolverhampton Polytechnic Art School to discuss life, youth and art. From this meeting emerged the BLK Art Group.
Ms. Johnson joined the group in 1981 while studying art and graduated the following year. She became one of the most famous black artists in Great Britain.
The group’s founding members also included Eddie Chambers, Keith Piper, Marlene Smith, Donald Rodney and Janet Vernon, who tried to counteract racist representations through art.
Looking back on her time as a student, Ms. Johnson said, “One of the highlights was helping to organize the first National Black Art Convention, which was held at the university in 1982.”
“It was amazing to see so many students of color engaged in the formulation of what could be called Black Art.
“As Goethe said, whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin to do it. There is magic, grace and power in that fact.”
