Sekai Machache, Awuor Onyango

on a black wall at a distance three portrait photographs hang, showing a black figure on a black background holding a bright red drape of fabric

three photographs of a black person making dynamic movement swathed in red fabric. In the centre image braids are suspended in the air as they throw their head, in another fabric is suspended across the image as they pull it through the air

three darkly lit portrait photographs of a figure swathed in red fabric, a black persons hands emerge from the fabric holding a lamp, a sculpture, a box

at a distance across a gallery a series of portrait photographs of a black figure on black background with red drape of fabric, hang on a wall

a vitrine holds a series of abstract prints in grey and orange

abstract prints in orange and grey sit in a glass vitrine

a large red velvet curtain hangs at the entrance of a gallery

portrait photograph of a person of colour on bright blue background with flowers in their hair and moon behind their head like a halo

A series of portrait photographs of people of colour on bright blue backgrounds with abstract shapes around their heads, hang on a gallery wall

a series of portrait photographs hang in a large gallery room

portrait photographs hang in a large gallery room

portrait photograph of a person of colour on bright blue background with flowers in their hair and moon in their hand

Street Level Photoworks

Body of Land was an intimate exploration of African diasporic femininities in Scotland and Kenya, featuring Awuor Onyango and Sekai Machache, who collaborated in a residency exchange supported by the British Council’s East Africa Arts programme, produced by Fòcas Scotland and supported by Street Level Photoworks.

Working across a range of media, Dundee-based Machache engaged with the notion of ‘double consciousness’ – the psychological sensation that one’s identity is divided into multiple parts. Her photography often uses body paint and muted lighting to create images that appear to emerge from darkness. Nairobi-based cross media artist Onyango explores the Black African feminine and the psycho-social role of the queer. Her approach is experimental and often results in mixed media pieces and installations based upon film and photography.

Listen to Awuor Onyango and Sekai Machache talk about how their friendship developed whilst working on their joint exhibition Body of Land which touches on themes of diaspora, ancestry, spirituality and femininity.

Podcast Part 1
Podcast Part 2