FEELING HER WAY, 2022, Print and Photography, Video

Medium
Multi-media Installation.
Dimensions
Dimensions variable.
FEELING HER WAY, 2022. Multi-media installation. The 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, 2022. Photo: Cristiano Corte © British Council
FEELING HER WAY: Instant Singer-Songwriter, 2022. Two-channel colour video with sound and wallpaper, performed by Tanita Tikaram. Turner Contemporary, Margate, 2023. Photo: Reece Straw
FEELING HER WAY: For Sonia, 2022. Two-channel video with sound. Performed by Sofia Jernberg and Jacqui Dankworth. 7 minutes 53 seconds. Leeds Art Gallery, 2023. Photo: Rob Battersby
FEELING HER WAY: Reach Out, 2022. Single-channel colour video with sound and wallpaper, performed by Jacqui Dankworth. Composers: Jacqui Dankworth & Charlie Wood. 7 minutes, 53 seconds. Turner Contemporary, Margate, 2023. Photo: Reece Straw
Jacqui, Tanita, Sofia, Errollyn, Poppy, 2022. Series of 5 digital pigment prints. Dimensions variable. Turner Contemporary, Margate, 2023. Photo: Reece Straw
FEELING HER WAY:Demons, 2022. Written and performed by Poppy Ajudha. Single-screen colour video with sound. 3 minutes 36 seconds. Turner Contemporary, Margate, 2023. Photo: Reece Straw
Devotional Collection, 1999 - 2022. Multi-media installation. Dimensions variable. Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds, 2023. Photo: Rob Battersby
Errollyn Wallpaper, 2022. Dimensions variable
Jacqui Wallpaper, 2022. Dimensions variable
Tanita Wallpaper, 2022. Dimensions variable
Poppy Wallpaper, 2022. Dimensions variable
Sofia Wallpaper, 2022. 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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Explore the exhibition online

Devotional series

Wallpaper series

Related theme: Sound / Singing

Related theme: Performance

Related theme: Participatory / Collaboration