05
January 2027

Africa in the Western Imaginary and African Art

Welcome to The Arts Society Vale of Aylesbury
Tuesday, January 5, 2027 - 13:45
St Peter & St Paul Church, Upton Road
Dinton Aylesbury HP17 8UF
Online Event

For centuries, artists in the West, from Rubens and Delacroix to Breuer and Stölzl, were inspired by the idea of Africa. In recent years, African artists themselves, including El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu, have hit the headlines with major museum shows. Find out more about Africa in the Western imaginary and the change to African artists speaking for themselves.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Ms Vivienne Lawes

I am an art historian, curator, author and journalist with over 25 years’ experience in the art market. I teach at several Higher Education institutions, including the University of the Arts London, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, the City & Guilds of London Art School, SOAS (University of London) and Imperial College. In January 2021 I received the Geoffrey Bond Bursary for Art, an annual prize awarded by the Worshipful Company of Educators to an “outstanding educator” nominated by their institution.

My articles, essays and reports have been published in numerous specialist journals, newspapers, catalogues, handbooks and websites, aimed at both the academic and general readership in print and online. The title of my current book project is The Bronze Horse: Themes in Equine Sculpture from Antiquity to the Present Day; in Spring 2021 I will embark on a critique and biography of contemporary Filipino artist Andres Barrioquinto.

Since 2011 I have been Senior UK Consultant to Singapore gallery One East Asia and have co-curated many exhibitions of Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art in London and Singapore. I am also Head of Education for the London Asian and African Contemporary Art Fair (founded 2020).

When time allows I lecture as an on-board art historian for cruise lines.