African Women's Art

I’m happy to share this inspiring conversation with Dr. Jareh Das on the legacy of the legendary Nigerian ceramicist, Ladi Kwali.
Dr. Das is a brilliant researcher, writer, and curator who lives and works between West Africa and the UK. Her interests in (global) modern and contemporary art are cross-disciplinary. Her understanding is filtered through the lens of performance art, which informs both her academic and curatorial work.
In this episode, we delve into her recent documentary “The Enduring Legacy of Ladi Kwali’. A thoughtful exploration of Kwali’s groundbreaking work as a Gwari potter and pioneer of modern African ceramics which centres the voices of people from Kwali’s communities.
We talk about Ladi Kwali’s impact in her communities, matrilineal pottery traditions, ethical research practices, and the vital role of community in sustaining traditions.

Find out more about Dr Jareh's work and documentary:
Website https://jarehdas.com/about/
Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNLJQhqFqM
Image (c) Nelta Kasparian

I’m excited to share this insightful conversation I had with Okwoli Moses Elaigwu. Okwoli Moses is an educationist, writer, historian and accountant who takes a keen interest in oral literatures of Idoma/Kwararafa people in Nigeria.

This conversation was part of my Language of the Land research project funded by Creative Scotland. In our conversation we discuss the key philosophies underlying Idoma body art. The cultural significance of tattoos, body decoration (Ina Otu), body marking (Ina Opi) and accessories. ‘Ina
We focused on several philosophies of Obinde, body decoration, in Idoma Land: cleansing, rituals, averting death (Oma-Kwu), purifying the deceased for eternal rest (Emaidu), beautification (Ifa). Known as We also explore the deep connection Idoma people have with nature and the importance of passing on our cultural histories.
Find out more about Okwoli Moses’ work at Idoma Empire Education and Consultants website. And you can find the images that we talked about on my instagram page @gracebrowneartist

I’m delighted to share this laughter-filled conversation I had with Kialy Tihngang. Kialy is British-born Cameroonian visual artist working in sculpture, video, textiles, animation and photomontage, often in collaboration with performers and musicians.
I love the way Kialy’s work combines the humour of Nollywood with retrofuturism, satire and the visual language of adverts for Western audiences. She often creates fantastical artifacts which are animated and activated through film. Creating glimpses into poetic and humorous speculative worlds that raise a mirror to Blackness, queerness, Britishness, and the crushing structural oppressions that surround these personal themes.
We had a rich conversation about Kialy's fluid approach to mediums, the influence of Nollywood, exploring history as mythologies, and the challenges and joys of navigating multiple identities.

Find out more about Kialy’s work at https://www.kialytihngang.com/

The works we talked about were;
Fetissoes, 2023
Sculptural Installation, dimensions variable
For Those In Peril On The Sea, 2023
Single channel video, 8'36''
Fetissoes solo show at God's House Tower, Southhampton

Neyinka and the Silver Gong, 2024
Single channel video installation, 24'28''
Originially made for ‘fir gorma’, a Glasgow International duo show with Josie KO

interior life/abstract thought, 2023
Single channel video, 4'45''
Moving Parts Arts Digital Puppetry Commission
Watch online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If1CZzKS0ew

Toghu: Episodes 1 & 2
Single channel videos, 9'59'' and 11'51''
British Council New Narratives Commission

It was an honour and joy to speak with the brilliant Jackie Kay on the podcast. Jackie Kay is a prolific and award-wining poet, playwright and novelist. From 2016 to 2021 she was the Makar, the poet laureate of Scotland.
Reading Jackie Kay’s work feels like such a warm balm to my spirit. She thoughtfully explores the beauty, challenges and complexities of life with love, grace and humour.
In our conversation we talk about the importance of community, keeping hope alive on the journey of activism, the strength in honesty and disguise in openness and how growing older reconnects us with our younger selves.

We talk about some of Jackie’s works;
Coorie Doon, 2025, children’s book,
May Day, 2024, poetry collection,
The Lamplighter, 2009, which has been performed as a stage and radio play,
Red Dust Road, 2010, an autobiographical journey.

Find out more about Jackie Kay;
'In My Own Words’ BBC Documentary
Jackie Kay on the Scots language, ’Word of Mouth’ radio
‘Authors Live’ BBC television

I’m delighted to share this joyful conversation with Mae Diansangu. Mae is a queer poet and spoken word artist from Aberdeen. Her debut poetry collection, Bloodsongs, was released by Tapsalteerie poetry press in 2024.
Reading Bloodsongs felt like a call and response—each poem invited something from me: a quiet hum at a powerful ending, laughter at the humour, or the urge to try voicing the Scots language. Listening to Mae’s spoken word poetry carries the same resonance, movement and rhythm.
In our conversation, we talked about:

Mae’s beginnings with spoken word poetry
,
moving between performing, drag and writing for the page,
how writing in Scots influences her writing,
the vulnerability of putting your work out into the world
maintaining a creative outlet while balancing a day job,
and the significance of having a supportive environment.

For more of Mae’s work, check out:

Mae’s instagram
Bloodsongs- pick up a copy from Tapsalterie Press
National Library of Scotland Fresh Ink – Watch Here
 Symphony in Grey – Listen Here

Hope you enjoy the conversation!