Free to Flourish, 2023

Durational Performance
27:00 minutes

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Performed in Gallery G15, Tate Britain, London, which is dedicated to displaying British Art from 1760–1830

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In response to the theme Flourish, this durational performance centres the repeated question: “How can we be free to flourish?” Voiced through shifting vocal registers and embodied gestures, the question is pushed to the point of physical and vocal exhaustion, marking the work’s conclusion.

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Throughout the performance, the audience was invited to call out urgent global concerns, written on paper and scattered across the gallery floor. They included: Ableism, Ageism, Antisemitism, Child Labour, Child Marriage, Climate Crisis, COVID-19, Fake News, Fatphobia, Gender Inequality, Hate Crime, Homophobia, Human Rights, Hunger, Islamophobia, Mental Health, Misogyny, Misogynoir, Poverty, Racism, Social Media Stress, The Metaverse, Trafficking, Transphobia, War, and Water Contamination.

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Commissioned by Black Blossoms for a Late at Tate event. Inspired by a keynote speech by Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries

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Credits:

With special thanks to Bolanle Tajudeen, Ese Onojeruo, Tram Nguyen, Husna Memon, Jasmine Pierre, and the Tate's Youth Advocates and Tate Collective Producers. All images: Eugenio Falcioni, Tate Gallery.

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