The first Black History Month Exhibition is on display in Sheffield Moor Market, showcasing the black community’s culture and stories.
Ursula Myrie, 48, host of the exhibition, said: “I’m absolutely exhausted but excited at the same time because it’s the first in Sheffield and it’s something specifically for the African-Caribbean community.”
The ‘Looking Glass Into My Black Mind’ exhibition, curated by As I Am Creatives as a platform for black expression, is focusing on young black creatives in Sheffield showing their interpretation and struggle with mental health through the artistic work, so as to start conversations with the elders in the black community as well as wider community.
Soha Mohamad, 22, co-founder of As I Am Creatives, said: “I want this exhibition to specifically show the world vulnerable feelings that we all keep hidden as black community. It’s ok for all of us to have mental health problems.”
She created a painting inspired by her poem called ‘Nile carry me home’ after coming back from Sudan in 2020 where her parents both grew up but she stayed only for four weeks.
‘My Black Divine’ by Soha Mohamad
Ms Mohamad said: “It was about the fact that I kept feeling lost and depressed that I was away from Sudan. It‘s very powerful because it’s staring at you, which is how I think mental health can be. It doesn’t always let you shy away from it.
“You can have your time to reflect and feel the sadness, but it’s also important to remember that you’re still beautiful and amazing even if you get mental illness.”
The art work varies from photography, paintings and performance art, allowing different people to relate to their stories.
Allia Adam, 23, poet, artist and another founder of As I Am Creatives, said: “Life could be beautiful, but it could also be chaotic. I want to empower people to be like it’s fine to show that not everything is ok at home.
Allia with her paintings showing her internal struggling as well as beauty
Whereas there is a structured side presenting the work, a messy bed with items scattered on and below is also in sight.
As part of the exhibition, ‘The Windrush Generation Pioneers In Sheffield’ side has gathered and retold black experiences from the African-Caribbean communities through pictures and books shown.
Ms Myrie said: “Black archive shows the black history but also the present. This exhibition isn’t only about that or windrush, it also got people like black sprinter Hussein Bolt.
“We don’t see ourselves represented enough, and I want the Sheffield community to know there are many aspects of black history month. It’s about education, and also to bring people together.”
The exhibition is expected to be scheduled annually in the future.
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