By Hanzala Fayaz
A groundbreaking exhibition, 100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark, recently concluded at the Leicester Gallery at De Montfort University, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of Black women across the British Isles.
Curated by Pawlet Brookes, founder of the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, the project combined visual art and heritage to celebrate 100 trailblazing women, past and present, from diverse fields, including sport, performing arts, and community activism.
The exhibition, which ran from October until this month, featured portraits created by Black female artists, including Valerie Asiimwe Amani, Yvadney Davis, Gayle Ebose, Grace Lee, and Lauryn Pinard.
Each portrait uniquely reflected the sitter’s story, using artistic styles ranging from traditional portraiture to collage and textile art. Some artworks even incorporated dance-inspired elements, adding to the exhibition’s rich diversity.
Pawlet explained: “It is very rare to walk into a gallery and see that every portrait of a woman is by a woman artist, let alone 100 portraits where both the sitter and the artist is a Black woman. This project seeks to create equity and redress the balance.”
The sitters were carefully chosen based on their contributions, with public nominations playing a key role.
Pawlett highlighted that the list is not definitive but rather a “snapshot” of the remarkable Black women who have shaped society.
“This is not a top 100, but a snapshot of Black women who deserve recognition,” she said.
Visitors to the exhibition were also treated to a podcast series that delved deeper into the sitters’ personal journeys and achievements.
Pawlet described these stories as transformative, adding: “Hearing their stories reinforced the importance of amplifying these voices and celebrating their work.”
Although the physical exhibition has ended, its legacy continues. A digital version will launch on Serendipity’s Living Archive in March 2025, providing global access.
Additionally, the exhibition will be displayed at Curve in Leicester later this year, ensuring its inspiring message reaches even more audiences.
For more information, visit the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage website or phone 0116 255 1551.
