Trinidad-born, Japan-based visual artist Marlon Griffith presents No
Black in the Union Jack, a performance inspired by the 2011 London summer
riots. This project was presented as part of Up Hill Down hall: An indoor Carnival for the BMW TATE LIVE 2014
series. In this piece, Griffith fuses the nationalistic Caribbean motif of the
humming bird with anti-riot police shields in body adornments that blur the
boundaries between masquerader and police officer. Also a trained masman – the
Trinidadian colloquial for Carnival designer – Marlon Griffith has a
longstanding experience in creating carnival performances both for the Trinidad
and Notting Hill carnivals. Griffith is collaborating with Elimu Paddington
Arts Mas Band for which he designed two carnival bands in the past.
Inspired by extensive student research into the socio-political history of
the Notting Hill Carnival and the politics of space and location.
Up Hill Down Hall: An Indoor Carnival is curated by Claire Tancons in discussion with Tate Modern’s curatorial
team and in collaboration with the artists in the project with support by
students and recent graduates from BA Fine Art at Central Saint
Martins, UAL: University of the Arts London, along with members from the
Notting Hill Carnival Community including participants and volunteers from
Elimu Paddington Arts Mas Band and Batala Samba-Reggae percussion band.
