Blog / Watch Back

Omar Victor Diop: Black Subjects in the Frame

POSTED: 19 December 2018

In a new video by HENI Talks, hear some of the ways the framing of black identity through history has hindered, obscured and liberated the lives of many people across the globe.



The relationship between the state and the black subject is, in many ways, still a highly contested one. What can we draw from historic imagery in order to move forward?

The team at HENI Talks visited our recent exhibition Liberty/Diaspora to speak with artist Omar Victor Diop and Autograph's Director Dr Mark Sealy. 

In this HENI Talk, Dr Mark Sealy examines black identity during moments of social upheaval and confrontation, as represented in the oeuvre of artist Omar Victor Diop. In his photographic portraits, Diop uses his own body to restage charged moments in history in a quest for us to look at and learn from these events afresh.

His work encourages the viewer to question the narrative of history that we are traditionally taught and see black people themselves as the agents of change – exploring, for example, the role of black slaves during the first major revolt in Haiti in the 1790s, or the grassroots dimension of the US civil rights movement in the 1960s, or the often hidden presence of black women in the history of activism.

Press play to hear some of the ways the framing of black identity through history has hindered, obscured and liberated the lives of many people across the globe. 

About HENI TALKS

HENI Talks is dedicated to sharing insights about art history on film from leading artists, curators and academics.

This growing catalogue of short films aims to open art up to the wider public, and create a platform through which everyone can learn about art history, and can discuss, comment, enjoy and engage with it.

Our mission is to inspire people with the power of art and give them access to a broad range of expert speakers. We also work closely with a wide range of museums and galleries to film on location and bring out the stories in their collections. We will expand our range of partners and speakers over time, linking together people and ideas to create a unique digital resource.

EXhIBITION

Omar Victor Diop:
Liberty / Diaspora



 

WATCH MORE

Visit the HENI Talks website



HENI Talks

EXHIBITION SUPPORTED BY:

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England
Gallery MAGNIN-A

Images, from top left: 1) Omar Victor Diop, Thiaroye 1944. From Liberty (2016). Courtesy © Omar Victor Diop / MAGNIN-A, Paris. 2) Omar Victor Diop, Frederick Douglass 1818–1895. From Project Diaspora (2014) © Omar Victor Diop / MAGNIN-A, Paris. 3) Omar Victor Diop, Nanny and Quao, Jamaica, 1720 [detail]. From Liberty (2016). Courtesy © Omar Victor Diop / MAGNIN-A, Paris.