1. A Groundbreaking Beginning: Black Art an’ Done (1981)
In June 1981, Wolverhampton Art Gallery became the birthplace of something revolutionary. The gallery hosted Black Art an’ Done, the first exhibition from the then-emerging BLK Art Group—a collective founded by artists Eddie Chambers, Donald Rodney, Marlene Smith, and Keith Piper. It was possibly the first time the term "Black Art" had been used in a British art context.
The exhibition audaciously addressed racism and identity through a Pan-Africanist lens, setting the tone for a cultural reckoning that rippled through the British art world.
2. From Local to National – Movement Arises (1982–1989)
Inspired by their momentum, the BLK Art Group expanded their influence. Their work toured nationally under the banner of The Pan-Afrikan Connection, reaching Nottingham, London, Bristol, and Coventry among others. Their political and aesthetic standpoints fueled the formation of the British Black Arts movement, influencing institutional reforms and leading to the creation of the Association of Black Photographers and Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts).
By 1989, the impact was undeniable: the Hayward Gallery staged The Other Story—a seminal national exhibition of Black, Asian, and Caribbean artists, and a response to the movement that began in Wolverhampton. Its tour included Wolverhampton Art Gallery in 1990, bringing the spotlight full circle.
3. Recognition and Memorialisation: Black Art in Focus (2016)
Decades later, Wolverhampton Art Gallery revisited its roots. In 2016, it held Black Art in Focus—an exhibition of newly acquired Black British artworks, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s "Collecting Cultures" project. Works included those by movement pioneers like Keith Piper and Donald Rodney, as well as Tam Joseph, Claudette Johnson, Chila Kumari Burman, Kimathi Donkor, and Chris Ofili.
This retrospective celebration helped address decades of underrepresentation while affirming Wolverhampton’s role as a creative crucible in British Black art.
4. Legacy and Continued Dialogue: Back to Black (2016)
That same year, the gallery hosted Back to Black for Black History Month—a showcase that paired newly acquired works with pieces from its existing collection. Visitors could also hear interviews and oral histories from local artists and community members, broadening the narrative around Black cultural expression in the region.
5. Reflection and Commemoration: 40th Anniversary of Black Art an’ Done (2021)
In June 2021, the gallery marked the 40th anniversary of that seminal 1981 exhibition. A late-night event brought together artists like Keith Piper, Claudette Johnson, and former curators to recount and reflect on the gallery's pivotal moment in art history.
6. 21st Century and Beyond: A Living Legacy
The gallery continues to champion Black art. In 2022, a curated selection titled Black Art Collection Highlights presented works by artists tied to the Black Arts Movement, reaffirming Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and creative diversity.
7. Wolverhampton’s Wider Cultural Context
Beyond the gallery walls, Wolverhampton’s broader arts infrastructure has played a key role. The University of Wolverhampton’s Art School— housed in the George Wallis Building—hosted the historic First National Black Art Convention in 1982, where influential figures like Sonia Boyce, Lubaina Himid, and John Akomfrah gathered. The building's proposed demolition in 2025 sparked criticism for risking loss of this tangible cultural legacy.
Today, Wolverhampton Art Gallery remains a vital home for Black creative expression. From nascent student exhibitions to full-scale retrospectives and oral histories, its galleries echo with the voices of movements that have shaped modern British art.
