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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The resulting video works took centre stage among the signature tessellating wallpapers and golden geometric structures in the British Pavilion’s rooms.
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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.
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In 2024 the exhibition travels throughout Canada to PHI Foundation, Montréal, in May and Toronto Biennial in September.
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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
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
I’m With Her Too
2019
Just One Minute More
2016-2022
Plastic
2013
Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010
Taken
2009
1930s to 1960s – The Rivington Place Portfolio
2006
Devotional II
2005
Devotional, 2004
2004
Lover's Rock
1998
Wallpaper series
Clapping Wallpaper 2
2024
Braided Hair Wallpaper
2023
Coloured Wallpaper
2023
Ain't Misbehavin'
2022
FEELING HER WAY
2022
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
We move in her way
2017
Just One Minute More
2016-2022
Crop Over
2007
Lover's Rock
1998
Head I (Skin) / Head II (Dread)
1995
Clapping Wallpaper
1994
Related theme: Sound / Singing
BENEVOLENCE
2024
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
In the Mix: Mel & Kim Respect
2022
On My Way
2022
Polystyrene / X-ray Spex OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!
2021
Sade / The Sweetest Taboo
2021
Shirley Bassey / Goldfinger
2021
Sheila Chandra / Ever so lonely MONSOON
2021
Miss Elizabeth Welch 1933 – 1940 / a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
2021
P. P. Arnold / Just call me angel of the morning
2021
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
Six Acts
2018
Just One Minute More
2016-2022
Exquisite Cacophony
2015
Move
2013
Plastic
2013
Gather:Justicia
2010
Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010
Taken
2009
Drift
2008
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
Yes, I Hear You
2022
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
Family Gorgeous Smudged
2022
In the Mix: Mel & Kim Respect
2022
In the Mix: Alexandra B’s Dress
2022
Sheila Chandra / Ever so lonely MONSOON
2021
Miss Elizabeth Welch 1933 – 1940 / a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
2021
Shirley Bassey / Goldfinger
2021
P. P. Arnold / Just call me angel of the morning
2021
Polystyrene / X-ray Spex OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!
2021
Sade / The Sweetest Taboo
2021
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
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
Drift
2008
For you, only you
2007
Crop Over
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
Six Acts
2018
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
The Audition
1997 - printed 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
Drift
2008
Crop Over
2007
For you, only you
2007
Exquisite Tension
2006
Devotional II
2005
Devotional, 2004
2004
Tongues
1997
Untitled (Kiss)
1995