Artis

Devotional Series

The Devotional Series started out as a project by a group of women from Liverpool who wanted to build a collective map of black women in the music industry.

The first name nominated was Shirley Bassey and from that the Devotional Series began. The list now includes 180 names, due to be recorded over the first half of June in a hand-drawn installation along the gallery walls. To accompany the names, the installation also features 19 photographic portraits, including ones of Shirley Bassey, Cleo Laine, Joan Armatrading, Neneh Cherry, Sade, Mica Paris, Des'ree and Ms Dynamite.

The portraits are the work of prominent photographers in the music industry, including Bob Collins, Pennie Smith, Kofi Allen, Albert Watson and Andy Earl. Appropriately the installation also incorporates songs by the 180 subjects ranging from the early 20th to the 21st century.

Sonia Boyce

Born in 1962, Sonia Boyce is a British artist of African-Caribbean descent, living and working in London. Her repertoire ranges from pastel drawings and photographic collages to, more recently, a variety of media combining photographs, collages, films, prints, drawings, installation and sound.