At the heart of the exhibition is an engagement with W.E.B. Du Bois's theory of double consciousness, which describes the sensation of viewing oneself through the eyes of others. Freedom in Multitudes seeks to move beyond this concept by emphasising self-perception through one’s own lens. This shift allows the artists to explore a state of single consciousness, where identity is shaped by internal understanding rather than external expectations.
The featured works traverse a broad spectrum of emotions, experiences, and histories, rejecting rigid figuration in favour of embracing complexity and fluidity. Through diverse media, the artists depict the Black freedom of existing across multitudes.
Similarly, Nola Ayoola’s work engages with heritage and tradition, drawing from African craftsmanship practices such as hand-dyed indigo and carved block printing. Her layered compositions on organza and cotton represent life as a tapestry woven from various threads, symbolising the interconnectedness of the human experience. This thematic exploration of lineage is echoed in Roisin Jones’s piece Freedom, where she merges myth and reality to depict a dream in which she reconciles with an alligator—representing the unification of her dual selves. Drawing from Caribbean folklore and the myth of the Jamaican River Mumma, Jones’s work navigates themes of authenticity, self-expression, and the journey towards embracing one’s true self.
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Collectively, the artists in Freedom in Multitudes assert their agency to redefine self-perception, moving beyond external expectations and societal limitations. By rejecting Du Bois’s notion of double consciousness, they centre themselves wholly, choosing to define their identities from within. Through explorations of heritage, materiality, mythology, and form, each artist contributes to a multifaceted understanding of freedom—one that is rooted in self-awareness and liberated from external gazes. Ultimately, the exhibition posits that true freedom lies in embracing the complexities and contradictions of our multitudes, celebrating the depth and richness of Black existence beyond monolithic representations.