Catalogue relating to an exhibition, 1983
Published by: OBAALA
Year published: 1983
Number of pages: 29

Small A5 portrait sized publication/monochrome text and image with occasional green type on gloss paper/catalogue relating to an exhibition

Title: Heart in Exile
Subtitle: An exhibition of drawing, painting, sculpture and photography by British-based Black Artists
Source: OBAALA (Organisation for Black Art Advancement and Leisure Activities) 29 pages

Catalogue produced to celebrate the launch and inaugural exhibition at The Black-Art Gallery, Finsbury Park. With statements from the participating artists and the organisers.

Contents:
2: OBAALA - the Organisation
4: A statement on Black-Art and the gallery
5: The Black-Art Gallery - its development
9: The opening of the gallery and the exhibition
12: A list of exhibits and participating artists
28: Acknowledgements

Heart in Exile featured work by Tyrone Bravo, Vanley Burke, Pogus Caesar, Dee Casco, Eddie Chambers, Adrian Compton, Shakka Dedi, Olive Desnoes, Terry Dyer, Carl Gabriel, Funsani Gentiles, Anum Iyapo, George Kelly, Cherry Lawrence, Ossie Murray, Pitika Ntuli, Joseph Olubu, Keith Piper, Barry Simpson, Marlene Smith, Wayne Tenyue and someone going under the name ‘Woodpecker’.

The catalogue contained an important “statement on Black-Art”, provided by OBAALA. This statement was heavily reflective of the Black art manifestos offered ten to fifteen years earlier by the African American poets and prophets such as Ron Karenga and Larry Neal. the OBAALA statement asserted “We believe that Black art is born of a consciousness based upon experience of what it means to be an Afrikan descendant wherever in the world we are. ‘Black’ in our context means all those of Afrikan descent.: ‘Art’; the creative expression of the Black person or group based on historical or contemporary experiences. Black-Art should provide an historical document of local and international Black experience. It should educate by perpetuating traditional art forms to suit new experiences and environments. It is essential that Black artists aim to make their art “popular” - that is an expression that the whole community can recognise and understand”. (1)

(1) A Statement on Black Art and the Gallery. OBAALA Committee. Contained in Heart in Exile catalogue. p.4