Celebrating the history of black creativity Favorite 

"A Tanzanian-born, Preston-based artist, curator and cultural activist, Lubaina Himid aims to 'fill in the gaps of history', giving representation to marginalised histories and to what was previously invisible or silenced. Significantly, Himid's art reinserts black narratives into the forefront of cultural practice and conversation.
In her own words, the artist's practice is the valorisation of 'the contribution black people have made to cultural life in Europe for the past several hundred years.'

In 2017, she became the first black female artist in history to win the Turner Prize, shattering records and breaking traditional prize rules (previously only artists under 50 could receive the award).

Born in Zanzibar in 1954 (now part of Tanzania), Himid arrived in Britain with her mother in the same year, shortly after the death of her father. Initially trained as a theatre set designer, Himid's immersive work invites engagement and dialogue with an audience. Her work doesn't shy away from serious subject matters – the dark legacies of empire, colonialism and slavery. Yet she deliberately balances the hard-hitting political message with playfulness, colour and humour.

Beyond the museum, Himid's work has raised awareness about harmful representations of people of colour in British society, showing that liberal media platforms can also intentionally (or inadvertently) fall into the trap of racial stereotypes. In an era where cultural institutions are actively overhauling centuries of systemic prejudice and discrimination, Himid is an artist leading this movement and driving new conversations about equality, representation and a sense of belonging for artists of colour in the global, contemporary art world."