An experimental space with a mission to bridge social and cultural gaps within the field of contemporary art, by working with and providing resources for under-represented artists.
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Harlesden High Street at Independent, 2023
Independent
Spring Studios
6 St Johns Lane, New York, NY 10013
Dates & Times
Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 10 AM – 8 PM (By invitation only)
Friday, May 12, 2023 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Sunday, May 14, 2023 | 11 AM – 6 PM
Click to visit Viewing room
Harlesden High Street will present a booth that is divided into three distinct sections, each showcasing the work of a different artist.
The centre area of the booth is dedicated to an installation by Emmanuel Shogbolu. Shogbolu will present a elongated portrait depicting a young woman who appears to be displaced on a desolate Brixton estate across a construction gate. Gates that pepper streets of London; symbolic of deconstruction, reconstruction and ultimately gentrification in which Emmanuel has been of witness to since the inception and preparation of the 2012 olympics onwards. His work draws reference from the experiences of Afro-Caribbean adolescence in London as well the motions, trials and tribulations pertaining to street life within the UK.
"Has anyone seen Shantelle?" and “Bruddas 4 life?” - both explore friendships and ponders of the unknown fates of childhood friends gone astray due to pressures of adulting within the inner city.
Emmanuel Shogbolu
Big Dick Problems, 2023
Hair knotted into sculpture, a self portrait
Shogbolu will also present a sculpture titled “B.D.P (Big Dick Problems)” a lock ridden sculpture depicting a self portrait of the artist and his complex relationship with ego, stereotypes, facades and iffy bravado. This sculpture is also a sentimental reflection of alpha male culture as a Blackman in a white mans world.
Accompanying the installation will be a compilation of videos featuring Underground London rappers performing poems over Hip hop instrumentals whilst wearing NY baseball caps.
Savannah Marie Harris
Watching the fly, 2023
Oil, oil stick, sand on linen
94.5" x 74.8" (240.03 cm x 189.99 cm)
Savannah Marie Harris, will be presenting large paintings that will occupy the side wall. Autobiographical by touch; each painting reveals a cathartic, yet obstructive nature to Harris' process. The surface becomes a compression of time and memories that find its way into the painting. Keeping within the flow of Harris’ practice; a new piece will be replaced as the day follows to allow each to unfold over time.
Ruby Dickson presents a narrative that revolves around a sassy young millennial. She has created three works that depict the consumerist nature of capitalist America. One of her paintings features Bambi, while another is a two-part diptych of Kim Kardashian crossing the street, with her face concealed and holding her iPhone in her left hand. Dickson's art is an insightful commentary on the way in which consumerism has permeated modern-day America.
Taken By His Eye / After 24hr Without Sleep, Isnt He Handsome, 2023
Oil on mirrored card and applied pressure corrugated packing paper
59" x 69" (149.86 cm x 175.26 cm)
Lastly is a new work by Dickson, a corrugated card work which features an imprinted image to accompanied by a small painting of a wilted flower, not dissimilar to the brooms from Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ which can be interpreted as the flowers following orders and bowing or begging, reflecting the desolate London art scene and most art people needing to kowtow to anyone they feel has some influence or power above them.
The three artists together present a unique and diverse perspective on the multiculturalism of London. Though they have had different environments and living conditions they each reflect a close connection to their historical and cultural heritage of the black diaspora. This wide lens showcases the complexity of the black experience rooted in London. Further, highlighting the nuances that are yet to be witnessed and embraced for these differences.
Installation Images
Savannah Marie Harris
The Waves Have Come
190cm x 200cm
Oil, oil stick, sand on canvas
Savannah Marie Harris
Go Gentle
180cm x 220cm
Oil, oil stick, charcoal, sand on linen
Savannah Marie Harris
Watching the fly, 2023
Oil, oil stick, sand on linen
94.5" x 74.8" (240.03 cm x 189.99 cm)
Savannah Marie Harris (b. 1999) practice can be read as a stream of consciousness that ebbs and flows into complex environments. Intuitively entangled with colours, light and textures. The act of painting becomes performative as she continuously deconstructs the space unravelling in the moment. Absorbed in the process vibrant colours bleed through, large gestural strokes dilute into muddy stains and what is left is remnants of collapsing surfaces.
Solo Exhibitions
Looking into the Shimmer, Harlesden High Street, Jan-Feb 2023
Recent group exhibitions
Raw, Soho Revue, 2022
No. 34, PM/AM London, 2023
Heteronymous Painters Group Show Works on Paper, Studio 127, London, 2023
Upcoming projects
The Clover Mill Residency, Netherlands, 2023
Daniel Lippitsch, Vienna, 2023
Sonya: A Sunflower Network Project, 2023
Emmanuel Shogbolu
Big Dick Problems, 2023
Hair knotted into sculpture, a self portrait
(from left to right)
Emmanuel Shogbolu
The mourning of Stephen, 2007/2023
18cm x 13cm
Acrylic, red/black ballpoint pen, pencil on Natural coloured paper.
Emmanuel Shogbolu
The Journey of Shantelle, 2023
Acrylic, red/black ballpoint pen, pencil on Natural coloured paper.
14.5 cm x 21 cm/6 x 9 inches
Emmanuel Shogbolu
Has anyone seen Shantelle?, 2023
13cm x 18cm
Ballpoint pen, pencil paper
Emmanuel Shogbolu
Bruddas 4 Life?, 2022/2023
13cm x 18cm
Ballpoint pen, pencil paper
Emmanuel Shogbolu
Ella in Mui Mui, 2005-2023
Size: 13cm x 18cm
Ballpoint pen on paper
Emmanuel Shogbolu
Gotta go harder, 2022.
Acrylic, red/black ballpoint pen, pencil on Natural coloured paper.
14.5 cm x 21 cm/6 x 9 inches
Emmanuel Shogbolu
NY Fitted, 2023
Approximate run time: 41 Minutes
Emmanuel Shogbolu (b. 199x) Emmanuel Shogbolu is an artist, researcher and philosopher born, raised and based in East London. His work centres around self and hyper local documentation through photography, moving image, drawing, painting, sculpture and installation.
In 2022, Emmanuel presented
Solo Exhibitions
Pieces of a Scattsman, Harlesden High Street, Jan 2023
Previous projects include
Infinite FX, ICA, London 2022
Selected Press
Spittle NewsLetter - Exhibition of the week (23 Jan 2023)
Independent, NY - Looking Ahead (9 Feb 2023)
Ruby Dickson
Desire Is not Always A Good Boy, 2023
Oil on canvas
18 x 24.5 cm
Ruby Dickson
Taken By His Eye / After 24hr Without Sleep, Isnt He Handsome, 2023
Oil on mirrored card and applied pressure corrugated packing paper
59" x 69" (149.86 cm x 175.26 cm)
Ruby Dickson (b 1996) works and lives in London. Dickson graduated with a BA in Fine Art and Art History in 2017 from Goldsmiths University London.
Through her paintings, Dickson examines the tension between desire and need as a symptom of capitalist society. Working at pace and with intuition, the works portray a sense of both urgency and vulnerability. Interested in finding the simplest expression of a feeling, Dickson explores both human emotion and social codes and signifiers. The stylised figures in a raw state of mercy, grief or loss – heads flung backwards, arms outstretched – borrow a visual language from religious art. But Dickson also reappropriates pop culture icons or cartoon characters, tapping into a contemporary visual language. Often incorporating text, as well as materials associated with childhood craft and play, Dickson’s practice holds the nostalgic and the cynical in suspense.
Recent exhibitions include:
'Maybe The Real Art Is The Friends We Make Along The Way' Outdoor Installation, The London Arts Board, March 2023
Apt. 237, Group Show, 3537, Super Berezina, Paris, February 2023
Eve Liebe Gallery, London, August 2022
In The House Of Babylon, Harlesden High Street, June 2022
FRIDGE - Brave New World, Group exhibition, Anderson Contemporary, June 2022Imagining Otherwise, Group Exhibition, D Contemporary, May 2022
Working as One Intended, Guts Gallery, Solo exhibition, October 2020
Further reading
Voices on Art #73 HARLESDEN HIGH STREET - Podcast
Independent, more inclusive than ever - The New York Times
Ten Best Booths at Independent - Art News
Independent’s write up on Harlesden High Street
Savannah Harris with her family
Ruby Dickson by herpresentation
Larry Ossei-Mensah with Elizabeth Dee, Ruby Dickson and Renee Cox
Savannah Marie Harris with Emma Prempeh at Tiwani Contemporary’s presentation in Frieze, NY
Monica Fernandez-Taranco with Savannah Marie Harris at Josh Kline’s presentation
