Dive Deep into the Story of Black British Music Through These Captivating Illustrations
Oskar illustration artist Paris Anthony-Walker has created a series of powerful visuals to bring to life a project with Google Arts & Culture and YouTube, celebrating and exploring Black British music cultures.
It’s called ‘Union Black: Sounds of a Nation’, and has been developed with partners ranging from the Black Cultural Archives and Horniman Museum to Power Up, Trench and Notting Hill Carnival, as well as Black British artists, producers and figures of influence within the industry.
The online exhibition explores the various pioneers, innovators, and movements that have influenced British culture as a whole. Through vintage photographs, historical documentaries, contemporary interviews, and other multimedia stories, Union Black presents a comprehensive and extraordinary retelling of those who have shaped the fabric of the British music scene.
The aim was to bridge the gap between fine arts and pop culture to engage audiences from around the world with the content.
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Paris illustrated a hero image (top) and the five key images to represent the five chapters/themes of the content, which include:
- Game Changers: Celebrating Black cultures, artists and moments in British history, recognising the pioneers and innovators who helped shape the landscape of music, both here and abroad
- We Run Tings: Exploring the movements that blossomed from the melting pot of Black Britain, influencing not only music, but also on film and entertainment, fashion, language and youth culture on a national and global scale.
- Mixing, Migrating, Music: Looking at the social and cultural communities and migrations that have powered the creation of influential music, genres and cultures.
- Express Yourself: This chapter highlights the musicians, individuals and sounds whose stories of resistance, triumph and fortitude have driven social and political change.
- Today and Tomorrow: Examines the landscape as it exists today and what Black British Music looks like in 2023 and beyond.
Click through to the exhibition to explore it all in depth. There’s a wealth of knowledge and inspiration within.
To view more of Paris's work, go here.
The video below shows the artwork being packed up into goodie bags for the launch event at the Royal Opera House last month. The launch event which Oskar illustration was invited to attend was led by British broadcaster, music champion and Union Black ambassador Trevor Nelson (MBE) who said the collection was "an ode to what has made British music what it is today".
The collaborative project was developed with 25 UK-based music and cultural partners, including Black Cultural Archives, Notting Hill Carnival, Arts Council England, The Black Music Coalition, Somerset House, TRENCH, Bounce Cinema, Punch Records and many more. As well as Black British artists, producers and content creators, including Danny D and Adrian Sykes, Trillary Banks, Richie Brave, Jamz Supernova, Moelogo, and Cashh.
