Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 1950s - Now

Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 50s – Now explores the relationship between the Caribbean and Britain in art from the 1950s to the present day, featuring a wide array of artworks by artists hailing from or in dialogue with the Caribbean. It offers a multi-layered and vital account of postwar and contemporary Caribbean-British art history and is a celebration of the communities that have shaped modern Britain.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Tate Publishing

Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 50s – Now explores the intricate relationship between the Caribbean and Britain in the realm of art, spanning from the 1950s to the present day. This social and cultural history is often conveyed through literature and popular music, weaving a multi-generational narrative of a Caribbean community that settled in Britain, forging a unique Black British identity and culture.

Featuring a diverse collection of artworks by renowned artists such as Aubrey Williams, Frank Bowling, Althea McNish, Donald Locke, Sonia Boyce, Isaac Julien, Lubaina Himid, Peter Doig, Chris Ofili, Steve McQueen, Alberta Whittle, and many more, this book serves as a platform for artists originating from or engaging with the Caribbean. It delves into the complex cross-cultural narratives of the past, examines the social, cultural, and political issues of the time, and points towards the future, offering a multi-layered and vital account of postwar and contemporary Caribbean-British art history.

This book celebrates the communities that have shaped modern Britain, highlighting their contributions to the art world. Contributions from esteemed figures in the field, including David A. Bailey MBE, Artistic Director of the International Curators Forum, Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain, Paul Gilroy, Professor of the Humanities at University College London, Daniella Rose King, a writer and Adjunct Curator of Caribbean Diasporic Art, Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational, David Scott, Professor of Anthropology in the Institute for Research in African American Studies, Columbia University, New York, Giulia Smith, a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at the Ruskin School of Art and Worcester College, University of Oxford (2019–2022), and Gilane Tawadros, a writer and curator, Chief Executive of DACS and Chair of the Stuart Hall Foundation, enrich the narrative and provide valuable insights.

Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 50s – Now is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Caribbean and Britain in the art world, offering a captivating journey through time and culture.

Weight: 1566g
Dimension: 218 x 273 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849767651