FEELING HER WAY, 2022, Print and Photography, Video
- Medium
- Multi-media Installation.
- Dimensions
- Dimensions variable.






















FEELING HER WAY was commissioned by the British Council for the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2022.
---
The exhibition explored the potential of collaborative play as a route to innovation and expanded on Boyce’s Devotional Collection, built over more than two decades and spanning more than three centuries, which honours the substantial contribution of Black British female musicians to transnational culture.
---
The installation brings together video works featuring five Black female musicians; Poppy Ajudha, Jacqui Dankworth MBE, Sofia Jernberg, Tanita Tikaram and composer Errollyn Wallen CBE, who were invited to improvise, interact and play with their voices, in the famed Studio Two at Abbey Road Studios, London.
---
Boyce proposed the improvisation as an opportunity for free expression between the musicians. The award-winning composer Errollyn Wallen CBE guides the singers, who commit to actively listening to one another and responding without inhibition. Within minutes, she spontaneously leads them step by step beyond the safety of their perfected and polished vocal styles into a space of humour, discomfort, delight and unguarded experimentation.
---
The resulting video works took centre stage among the signature tessellating wallpapers and golden geometric structures in the British Pavilion’s rooms.
---
Sonia Boyce received the Golden Lion for Best National Participation for FEELING HER WAY in 2022. The exhibition toured to Turner Contemporary, Margate, (4 February - 8 May), and Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds, (26 May - 5 November) in 2023.
---
In 2024 the exhibition travels throughout Canada to PHI Foundation, Montréal, in May and Toronto Biennial in September.
---
Devotional series

In the Mix: Alexandra B’s Dress
2022
FEELING HER WAY
2022

In the Mix: Shirley Songs
2022

In the Mix: Skunk Sputnik
2022

In the Mix: Hippy Liberty
2022

In the Mix: Disciples Together
2022

In the Mix: Mel & Kim Respect
2022

On My Way
2022

Miss Elizabeth Welch 1933 – 1940 / a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
2021

Shirley Bassey / Goldfinger
2021

Sheila Chandra / Ever so lonely MONSOON
2021

P. P. Arnold / Just call me angel of the morning
2021

Sade / The Sweetest Taboo
2021

Polystyrene / X-ray Spex OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!
2021

I’m With Her Too
2019

Just One Minute More
2016-2022

Plastic
2013

Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010

Taken
2009

Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018

1930s to 1960s – The Rivington Place Portfolio
2006

Devotional II
2005

Devotional, 2004
2004

Lover's Rock
1998
Wallpaper series

Clapping Wallpaper 2
2024

Coloured Wallpaper
2023

Braided Hair Wallpaper
2023
FEELING HER WAY
2022

Ain't Misbehavin'
2022

We move in her way
2017

Just One Minute More
2016-2022

Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018

Crop Over
2007

Lover's Rock
1998

Head I (Skin) / Head II (Dread)
1995

They're Almost Like Twins
1995

Clapping Wallpaper
1994
Related theme: Sound / Singing

Put Your Hands Together
2024

BENEVOLENCE
2024

On My Way
2022
FEELING HER WAY
2022

In the Mix: Shirley Songs
2022

In the Mix: Skunk Sputnik
2022

Ain't Misbehavin'
2022

In the Mix: Hippy Liberty
2022

In the Mix: Disciples Together
2022

In the Mix: Mel & Kim Respect
2022

In the Mix: Alexandra B’s Dress
2022

Miss Elizabeth Welch 1933 – 1940 / a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
2021

Shirley Bassey / Goldfinger
2021

Sade / The Sweetest Taboo
2021

Sheila Chandra / Ever so lonely MONSOON
2021

Polystyrene / X-ray Spex OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!
2021

P. P. Arnold / Just call me angel of the morning
2021

Six Acts
2018

Just One Minute More
2016-2022

Exquisite Cacophony
2015

Plastic
2013

Move
2013

Gather:Justicia
2010

Is this Love That I’m Feeling?
2010

Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010

Taken
2009

Drift
2008

Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018

For you, only you
2007

1930s to 1960s – The Rivington Place Portfolio
2006

Devotional II
2005

Devotional, 2004
2004

Lover's Rock
1998
Related theme: Performance

BENEVOLENCE
2024

Put Your Hands Together
2024

Yes, I Hear You
2022

In the Mix: Alexandra B’s Dress
2022
FEELING HER WAY
2022

In the Mix: Shirley Songs
2022

In the Mix: Skunk Sputnik
2022

Ain't Misbehavin'
2022

In the Mix: Hippy Liberty
2022

In the Mix: Disciples Together
2022

Family Gorgeous Smudged
2022

In the Mix: Mel & Kim Respect
2022

On My Way
2022

Sheila Chandra / Ever so lonely MONSOON
2021

Sade / The Sweetest Taboo
2021

Shirley Bassey / Goldfinger
2021

Miss Elizabeth Welch 1933 – 1940 / a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
2021

P. P. Arnold / Just call me angel of the morning
2021

Polystyrene / X-ray Spex OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!
2021

The Audition
1997 - printed 2018

Six Acts
2018

We move in her way
2017

Just One Minute More
2016-2022

Paper Tiger Whisky Soap Theatre (Dada Nice)
2016

Exquisite Cacophony
2015

Move
2013

Dance of Belém
2011

Gather:Justicia
2010

Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010

Taken
2009

Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018

Drift
2008

Crop Over
2007

For you, only you
2007

Exquisite Tension
2006

1930s to 1960s – The Rivington Place Portfolio
2006

Devotional II
2005

Devotional, 2004
2004
Related theme: Participatory / Collaboration

BENEVOLENCE
2024

Yes, I Hear You
2022

Ain't Misbehavin'
2022
FEELING HER WAY
2022

Family Gorgeous Smudged
2022

The Audition in Colour
1997 - printed 2020

In the Castle of My Skin
2020 - 2021

The Audition
1997 - printed 2018

Six Acts
2018

We move in her way
2017

Paper Tiger Whisky Soap Theatre (Dada Nice)
2016

Exquisite Cacophony
2015

Move
2013

Dance of Belém
2011

Gather:Justicia
2010

Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010

Taken
2009

Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018

Drift
2008

Crop Over
2007

For you, only you
2007

Exquisite Tension
2006

Devotional II
2005

Devotional, 2004
2004

Tongues
1997

Untitled (Kiss)
1995

They're Almost Like Twins
1995