Artists mark ten years since London riots with outdoor performance pieces

Artists have staged pop-up performance pieces in Brixton and East Croydon to mark ten years since the London riots.

Poet Haroon Khan performed outside Brixton Station on August 7 and hip hop lyricist Lekan ‘Ajarni’ Kehinde took his art piece to East Croydon Station on August 9.

Both marked ten years exactly since the riots in that area.

The performances were part of an international bi-annual programme Empire Strikes Back, organised by Louder Than Words, which held workshops for six artists.

Louder Than Words founder, Myvanwy Evans said: “Through this year’s ESB programme, we are honoured to mark the tenth anniversary of the uprisings that shook and woke our nation. 

“This project has enabled our artists to create something truly unique and we hope to disrupt London in a peaceful, yet profound way. 

“As Martin Luther King said ‘Riots are the language of the unheard’ and through the multidisciplinary art activations executed by our six talented emerging artists, this language gives a voice to the voiceless young Londoners of now and then.”

The sessions included exclusive master classes and Q&As with the official photographer for the British Black Panther Movement, Neil Kenlock and the Revolutionary Artist and Former Minister of Culture for the US Black Panther Party, Emory Douglas. 

Mr Douglas said: “When Louder Than Words asked me to support ESB this year, I didn’t think twice. My work in creating art for the Black Panther Party has always been about creative collaborative expression and using art for activism. 

“I’m honoured to pass inspiration down to the next generation of art activists. This incredible project cuts to the heart of the story. A story of inequality, pain, oppression and self-determination, using art to inform, enlighten and educate, to bring change.”

Pictured top: Lekan ‘Ajarni’ Kehinde at East Croydon Station