In this episode, Sharon is joined by Fiona Compton to discuss a number of different pieces from the museum collection. The discussion evokes conversations around propaganda, representation, beauty standards and violence. Be prepared to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions in this episode, rounding the series off with a note on the importance of self-care.

Fiona Compton @knowyourcaribbean

Sharon Walters @london_artist1

Find out about the objects mentioned in the episode here

In this episode Sharon Walters, Serena Lee and Fiona Compton, visit pieces on display in the museum collections, including Yinka Shonibare’s ‘Ship in A Bottle’, Kehinde Wiley’s ‘Ship of Fools’ and the recent installation of the World Reimaged globes after the introduction through this podcast. This conversation highlights the importance of contemporary art by Black artists in predominantly white institutional spaces.

Serena Lee @georgiandiaspora

Fiona Compton @knowyourcaribbean

Sharon Walters @london_artist1

Find out about the objects mentioned in the episode here

Ekow Eshun and Serena Lee join Sharon to look at two pieces from the collection, namely ‘An engraving of Billy Walters’ and a ‘Caricature of Greenwich Pensioners’. Ideas around representation, authenticity and Blackness are explored in this episode. Interesting observations around reclaiming narratives are made, and captioned depictions from objects are challenged, thus providing fresh, new interpretations.

Ekow Eshun @ekoweshun

Serena Lee @georgiandiaspora

Sharon Walters @london_artist1

Find out about the objects mentioned in the episode here

In this episode, Sharon Walters is joined by Rudy Loewe and Jacob V Joyce, who are both queer visual artists and PHD students. This discussion explores the Monsier de St.George’ Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges portrait, and how ‘reimaginings’ can be a powerful way to engage with archives and collections. They talk about the cataloguing of objects, archives and the violence that can occur in dehumanising Black and marginalized people in institutions. The Huntley Archives and Saturday schools are also mentioned in this conversation and the impact they have more widely.

Jacob V Joyce @jacobvjoyce

Rudy Loewe @rudyloewe

Sharon Walters @london_artist1

Find out about the objects mentioned in the episode here

Emma and Yasmin in conversation with writer/poet performer, creative educator and project developer Zena Edwards and poet, DJ, workshop facilitator and co-founder of swimming collective, Swim Dem Crew Nathaniel Cole. Listen to their thoughts on everything from how their personal identity and heritage has influenced their work to stereotypes, climate issues and cultural belonging.

Trigger Warning! Themes of sexual violence and a disturbing nature.

In this conversation, historian and filmmaker, Nadia Denton and podcast host and artist , Sharon Walters centre their discussion on a collection piece featuring Saartje (Sara) Baartman. Sara is a well-known figure who has a disturbing and tragic story. Nadia offers a response to Sara’s life story focussing on female power and exploitation in context to enslaved African’s.

Nadia Denton @nadiajacintadenton

Sharon Walters @london_artist1

Find out about the objects mentioned in the episode here

The second series of Descendant Talks sees the Gen Z Collective in conversation with poets and artists who participated in Speak Pon Dem, a live music jam which celebrated the Spirit of Windrush 75. In this episode Nya'lay and Nathaniel talk to the actress, poet, author and dedicated youth worker, Maia Watkins and the writer and visual artist, Kareem Parkins-Brown to discover why they took part in this event, and how their personal identity and heritage has influenced their work. They take a look at where their inspiration comes from and what the legacy of being children of the diaspora means to them.

To kick off the second series, podcast host Sharon Walters is joined by Serena Lee and Fiona Compton. They review the outcomes of the first series and how impactful change is being made to reshape how stories are told as a result of the podcast. This episode is recorded at the collections Store and they look at a Georgian snuff box which references blackness through an image featured on the inside lid.

Serena Lee @georgiandiaspora

Fiona Compton @knowyourcaribbean

Sharon Walters @london_artist1

Find out about the objects mentioned in the episode here