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Reading group: How To Be Human – working through the writing of Sylvia Wynter with Rosa-Johan Uddoh
Wednesday 10th April 2024 , 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Curious about the radical writing of Jamaican philosopher, cultural theorist and playwright Sylvia Wynter? Join us for a relaxed, informal afternoon as we journey through her work together.
Radical, dense and mind-bending in the best way, Sylvia Wynter’s decades long practice brings together themes from ‘history, literature, science, and black studies, to explore race, the legacy of colonialism, and representations of humanness.’
Once read, you can never be human in the same way. This event is a chance for us to help each other through reading and understanding of some of Wynter’s work. We will be navigating and responding to her long sentences in a supportive, multi-ability, and non-hierarchical environment, through discussions, exploratory activities, and drawing.
Whether you’ve always wanted to read some Sylvia Wynter and are in need of a sign, or if you’ve never heard of her and are just curious to learn more, this is the perfect event for anyone who would like to engage with her work in a relaxed environment and the supportive company of others.
All materials will be provided, as well as tea and light snacks!
Attendees will be sent a few short extracts from “We Know Where We Are From” The Politics of Black Culture from Myal to Marley* to read in advance of the session which cover themes including Marxism, Rastafarianism and Black Sense of Self. We encourage you to bring along any thoughts, feelings, or initial gut responses you have to the texts to share as we work through them together.
Concession rate applies to students, over 65s, under 18s, Bow Arts artists, National Art Pass members, and key workers
This event will be held in the Bow Arts Courtyard Room. Visitors can enter by buzzing in through the grey doors.
More about Rosa-Johan Uddoh
Rosa-Johan Uddoh (b. Croydon, 1993) is an interdisciplinary artist working towards radical self-love, inspired by Black feminist practice and writing. Through performance, writing, film and multi-media installation, she explores the effects of specific places, objects and characters in popular culture, on self-formation. Using humour, parody and collaboration, she appropriates popular media formats to critically engage people often excluded from Art.
Rosa is currently a lecturer in Performance: Design and Practice at Central Saint Martins, UAL. She was shortlisted for the Jarman Award 2022 for her film-making. She has had solo exhibitions at Focal Point Gallery (Southend-on-sea), Bluecoat (Liverpool), Destiny’s (Oslo), Workplace Gallery, The Bower, Jupiter Woods and Black Tower Projects (London). Group exhibitions include Pioneer Works (New York), Steve Turner (Los Angeles), Bergen Kunsthall (Bergen), Exile Gallery (Vienna) and 68 Institute (Copenhagen). Her remastered version of her film Black Poirot was premiered at Tate Modern in 2022. Her work has been profiled in publications including Art Monthly, New York Times and Nordic Art Review. Rosa’s first book Practice Makes Perfect was published by Book Works and Focal Point Gallery in 2022 and her public artwork ‘She is Still Alive!’ is currently on show with Southwark Park Galleries.
Access information
The Bow Arts Trust courtyard room has step-free access throughout from street level, including to the accessible toilet, and is service animal friendly. This venue does not have a hearing loop system. Accessible parking is not available on-site but blue badge parking can be found 500m away on Fairfield Road.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility at this venue or event, would like to make us aware of any access requirements that you have in advance of visiting, or would like this information in an alternate format including Easy Read, please email nunnery@bowarts.com or call 020 3967 1643.
Access requirements could include things like providing equipment, services or support (e.g. information in Easy Read, speech to text software, additional 1:1 support), adjusting workshop timings (e.g. more break times), adjustments to the event space or anything else you can think of!
Transport Information
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm
Address: Bow Arts Trust, 183 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ
Nearest station(s): Bow Road (District and Hammersmith and City lines) is a 6-minute walk away, and Bow Church (DLR) is a 3-minute walk away.
Bus: 205, 25, 425, A8, D8, 108, 276, 488 and 8 all service the surrounding area.
Bike: Bicycle parking is located at Bow Church Station. The nearest Santander Cycles docking station is at Bow Church Station.
