In this chapter I discuss creativity: creative processes from the perspective of someone who identifies as a Black, Woman, Artist. Immediately I need to point out that I by no means want to suggest that there is some kind of shared creative outcome that all Black Women Artists demonstrate. The nature of creativity seems to be that it is inherently individual in everyone. To assume it was the same across a group of people would be contradictory to the general assumption that creativity involves uniqueness. Similarly, the notion of ‘Black’ and ‘woman’ are contested labels rather than fixed identities. So, this chapter is about what happens when the spectrums of Blackness, womanhood and creativity are thought about in terms of their relationship with each other. What rhythms emerge when all three are considered at the same time. In this way the chapter is not written only for those who identify as Black women artists, it is written to look at creative processes in general.
From early trailblazers to contemporary ground breakers, Black Women in Dance: Stepping Out of the Barriers, is an exciting publication celebrating and exploring the impact that Black women have made on the international dance ecology. This publication explores topics from the need for institutions and infrastructure to support work from African and African Caribbean artists, and the key role of women within these organisations, to artists’ journeys taken to develop new aesthetics and an individual choreographic voice. The contributors also reflect upon the obstacles they have had to overcome as they have progressed in their careers and some of the challenges they still have to face. Moreover, Black Women in Dance is a celebration of the tenacity, strength and creativity of the authors, their peers and their predecessors.
Citation: Akinleye, A. (2016) Narrating Spaces chapter in Brookes (ed.), Black Women in Dance: Stepping out of the barriers, UK: Serendipity Artists Movement Ltd, pp. 74 – 83
Contents for context within book:
(editor Pawlet Brookes)
Preface – Pawlet Brookes
Tipping The Balance of Power in the Dance World and Beyond – Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
The Contribution of Women in Supporting the Dance of the African Diaspora in Britain – Mercy Nabirye
Reflection, Revolution and Resolution: Black Dance in the UK 2000 to 2016 – Deborah Baddoo
The Talent is There, The Opportunities Are Not – Hilary S. Carty
The Dance of Leadership – Maureen Salmon
Infrastructure – Pam Johnson
Seven Stages of Creating – Catherine Dénécy
Narrating Spaces – Adesola Akinleye
The Grey Area – Jessica Walker
My Duality, My Strength – Sharon Watson