The Royal College of Art Association of Black Students, Alumni & Friends started as a grassroots organisation and community group in 2020.

Since its inception RCA BLK has evolved after a successful tenure of partnerships and involvement. We’re happy to be the first association in the country to action incremental change within an institutional ecosystem. Thus far, we are the proud initiators of the Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship, the RCA BLK x Yinka Shonibare Residency, BLACK STAR Time Capsule and the proud recipients of the Black British Artist Grant 2023.

RCA BLK's core objectives are to promote, improve and advance education by encouraging and supporting the practice of contemporary visual arts for artists who identify as Black and or of African heritage within the RCA community. We aim to do so by fostering relationships with pre-enrolled students, current students as well as alumni. RCA BLK has positively impacted the Black student experience and has built upon the rich legacies of the RCA Student and Alumni body (http://www.rcablk.com)

The exhibition features work by Anthea Hamilton, Bashiru Lawal-Shardo, Bryant Mclaughlin Van-Low, Canaan J Brown, Chris Ofili, Emily Moore, Gaia Ozwyn, Jesse Akele, Joy Julius, Natasha Fontenelle, Shannon Bono, Shayla Marshall, Suleyman Wellings-Longmore, Tamu Nkiwane and Thalia Dougourou.

The works on display, curated by Zarna Hart, include:

Anthea Hamilton (RCA MA Painting 2005) Untitled, 2004, 740mm x 1070mm, Acrylic on canvas

Bryant Mclaughlin Van-Low (RCA MA City Design 2023) Labour of Love, 2023, 100 cm x 100 cm, Burlap, Canvas, Dye

Chris Ofili (RCA MA Painting 1992), Untitled, 1992, 2140mm x 1530mm, Oil on Canvas

Chris Ofili (RCA MA Painting 1993), The Accused, 1991, 1760mm x 2020mm, Oil on canvas

Emily Moore (RCA MA Painting 2020) Kemet, 2023, 2.1m x 1.3m, Crochet painting with hand beaded trim, gold leaf and cowrie shells

Gaia Ozwyn (RCA MA Painting 2024) Untitled, 2023, 160 cm x 190 cm, Oil on Linen

Jesse Akele (RCA MA Painting 2023) Two Magpies, 2023, 190cm x 160cm, Acrylic on canvas

Suleyman Wellings-Longmore (RCA MA Painting 2024), The Owl Whispers Julie No More, 2023, 2.25m x 1.7m, Laser cut MDF, hemp rope, acrylic paint, pine

For more information about RCA BLK, visit:
https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/the-rca-e...

Check out RCA BLK's website: https://www.rcablk.com

Listen to our podcast with Emily Moore from RCA BLK:    • Behold our power - celebrating the Ro...