The British Council has been the commissioner of the British Pavilion at the International Art Exhibition Biennale di Venezia since 1937, taking the lead in selecting the artist to represent the UK and supporting them to bring their artistic vision to life. A British artist has never won this particular Golden Lion since it's inception in 1986. However previous UK winners of top prizes at La Biennale di Venezia include Richard Hamilton (1993), Anish Kapoor (1990), Frank Auerbach (1986), Bridget Riley (1968) and Henry Moore (1948).
British artist Sonia Boyce’s powerful exhibition explores the potential of collaborative play as a route to innovation. Running from 23 April – 27 November 2022 Feeling Her Way immerses visitors in the collaborative dynamism of five Black female musicians brought together by the artist to improvise, interact and play with their voices. The installation contains video works featuring Poppy Ajudha, Jacqui Dankworth MBE, Sofia Jernberg, Tanita Tikaram and composer Errollyn Wallen CBE.
Awarding the accolade, the jury said ‘Sonia Boyce proposes … another reading of histories through the sonic. In working collaboratively with other black women, she unpacks a plenitude of silenced stories.’
Explore the exhibition online on the British Pavilion website here