SPOTLIGHT
Shades of Resistance
Here's what you need to know about the upcoming show Shades of Resistance at The Bomb Factory Art Foundation in Marylebone, London, on 16th-17th-18th August 2024.
MEET ISAAC BOKOKO
Isaac Bokoko, Co-Founder of NCProductions, is a Director & Cinematographer of Congolese, Guadeloupean, and Welsh heritage. He has worked with Netflix, Apple, Fully Focused Productions, The Roundhouse, Peabody, and the NHS. At nineteen, he had a residency at the Bomb Factory Art Foundation and, in 2024, was awarded the Arsenal No More Red Shirt for his film and community work. Isaac and co-founder Ryan Rusconi developed The White Rose: The Musical, which had a successful run at Applecart Art Springboard Festival and FUSE International Festival. They plan to collaborate with the Bomb Factory to showcase young artists in the gallery.
We interviewed Isaac and other members of the team behind Shades of Resistance. Read on to discover more about this exciting new exhibition.
Your upcoming exhibition is called "Shades of Resistance." Which shades of resistance will you be showcasing?
When formulating this exhibition, we understood that resistance comes in all shapes and forms. Our intention in curating this was to create a brief that young people could respond to and make their own. It is important to us to create a platform to discuss modern history through the eyes of the youth who are experiencing it.
From the submissions we've received, we've identified several key themes: womanhood, youth, queerness, and heritage, expressed through the mediums of photography, painting, film, poetry and dance. They all come together to form a strong statement in the name of resistance. Motivated by events like Pride, Notting Hill Carnival, Black Lives Matter, and the 2024 General Election, the exhibition explores how resistance has become a significant part of young people's lives in the UK over the past two decades.
Can you share more about the story and mission of NCProductions?
NCProductions was founded by Ryan Rusconi and me, who both have extensive experience in the creative and artistic industry. We both come from a diverse range of artistic disciplines including theatre, film, TV, music, and sound design.
As a result, we are a dynamic multi-media production company, grounded in authentic storytelling. All projects involve collaboration with young, emerging creatives, who are both London-based and international.
The company is committed to nurturing creativity and innovative artistry in young individuals, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and creating projects with a meaningful social impact.
When formulating this exhibition, we understood that resistance comes in all shapes and forms. Our intention in curating this was to create a brief that young people could respond to and make their own. It is important to us to create a platform to discuss modern history through the eyes of the youth who are experiencing it.
From the submissions we've received, we've identified several key themes: womanhood, youth, queerness, and heritage, expressed through the mediums of photography, painting, film, poetry and dance. They all come together to form a strong statement in the name of resistance. Motivated by events like Pride, Notting Hill Carnival, Black Lives Matter, and the 2024 General Election, the exhibition explores how resistance has become a significant part of young people's lives in the UK over the past two decades.
Can you share more about the story and mission of NCProductions?
NCProductions was founded by Ryan Rusconi and me, who both have extensive experience in the creative and artistic industry. We both come from a diverse range of artistic disciplines including theatre, film, TV, music, and sound design.
As a result, we are a dynamic multi-media production company, grounded in authentic storytelling. All projects involve collaboration with young, emerging creatives, who are both London-based and international.
The company is committed to nurturing creativity and innovative artistry in young individuals, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and creating projects with a meaningful social impact.
The community plays a significant role in the exhibition itself. How has this influenced the development of the show?
The team and I found it essential to represent the communities we were working with. As young creative professionals in the arts industry, we understand how the creative sector often represents only one kind of individual. With Shades of Resistance, we aimed to do the opposite: we wanted to find young people from all walks of life to truly represent our London community.
Our focus was on bringing young people together and providing them with a space to be themselves. This show is by young people, for young people. We managed to accomplish everything with little to no money, truly in the name of resistance. We are collaborating with a major art charity that sustains itself thanks to these kinds of exhibitions, so holding an event like this feels like contributing to something good. The goal is to promote these types of exhibits and urge the public to listen to young voices, which is needed now more than ever, especially considering the current political climate.
The team and I found it essential to represent the communities we were working with. As young creative professionals in the arts industry, we understand how the creative sector often represents only one kind of individual. With Shades of Resistance, we aimed to do the opposite: we wanted to find young people from all walks of life to truly represent our London community.
Our focus was on bringing young people together and providing them with a space to be themselves. This show is by young people, for young people. We managed to accomplish everything with little to no money, truly in the name of resistance. We are collaborating with a major art charity that sustains itself thanks to these kinds of exhibitions, so holding an event like this feels like contributing to something good. The goal is to promote these types of exhibits and urge the public to listen to young voices, which is needed now more than ever, especially considering the current political climate.
Could you introduce our readers to the artists and creatives involved in "Shades of Resistance"?
Shades of Resistance was created by a small team of volunteers from diverse working backgrounds. We have filmmakers, creatives, and even composers who are giving their time and individual expertise to the project. They have all come together from different sides of the industry because they felt called by the themes of the exhibition. Resistance and community are important aspects of everyday life that can be found everywhere you look. Therefore, it was almost a civic duty to become a part of this project.
We will take you on a journey that delves into responses to war, colonialism, and sexism, as well as unapologetic expressions of youth that challenge the status quo. Over thirty artists are part of our showcase, and each one of them is incredibly unique. In the gallery, you will find work that challenges perspectives and calls for social change.
Shades of Resistance was created by a small team of volunteers from diverse working backgrounds. We have filmmakers, creatives, and even composers who are giving their time and individual expertise to the project. They have all come together from different sides of the industry because they felt called by the themes of the exhibition. Resistance and community are important aspects of everyday life that can be found everywhere you look. Therefore, it was almost a civic duty to become a part of this project.
We will take you on a journey that delves into responses to war, colonialism, and sexism, as well as unapologetic expressions of youth that challenge the status quo. Over thirty artists are part of our showcase, and each one of them is incredibly unique. In the gallery, you will find work that challenges perspectives and calls for social change.
MEET THE ARTISTS:
Painters: Alexi Gwyn Davies, Yasmin Teniola Idris, Gabriela Kemble-Diaz, Jewel Kaye, Xanthia, Erah x Akiya, Emily Stanisavljevic, Liv Francis-Cornibert, Affoué Aurélie N'gotta, Sena Tabea Nehme, Anya Hunt-Byer, Rachna Johal, Stazzy, Ore Adedeji
Photographers: Shaggy, Zara Hodgson, Luca Keaney, Jasmine Benedict, Martina Amoretti, Ikram Ahmed, Fenica Chambel
Filmmakers: Elisha Tawe, Isaac Bokoko, Ryan Rusconi, Kate S, Conor Powell, Levan Peart
Poets: Sarah Ogilo, Tifany MarSah, Olabisi Adeyemi
Jeweller/Photographer/Filmmaker: Sylver Eulalee Mair
Photographer/Filmmaker: Evan Alexaander
Poets: Tifany MarSah, Salient Voice, Olabisi Adeyemi
Dancer: Tobey I’Anson
MEET THE TEAM:
Isaac Bokoko, Martina Amoretti, Amelia Maggiore Davies, Emille Bwale, Ryan Rusconi, Esme McGowan and Umi Pawlyn.
Painters: Alexi Gwyn Davies, Yasmin Teniola Idris, Gabriela Kemble-Diaz, Jewel Kaye, Xanthia, Erah x Akiya, Emily Stanisavljevic, Liv Francis-Cornibert, Affoué Aurélie N'gotta, Sena Tabea Nehme, Anya Hunt-Byer, Rachna Johal, Stazzy, Ore Adedeji
Photographers: Shaggy, Zara Hodgson, Luca Keaney, Jasmine Benedict, Martina Amoretti, Ikram Ahmed, Fenica Chambel
Filmmakers: Elisha Tawe, Isaac Bokoko, Ryan Rusconi, Kate S, Conor Powell, Levan Peart
Poets: Sarah Ogilo, Tifany MarSah, Olabisi Adeyemi
Jeweller/Photographer/Filmmaker: Sylver Eulalee Mair
Photographer/Filmmaker: Evan Alexaander
Poets: Tifany MarSah, Salient Voice, Olabisi Adeyemi
Dancer: Tobey I’Anson
MEET THE TEAM:
Isaac Bokoko, Martina Amoretti, Amelia Maggiore Davies, Emille Bwale, Ryan Rusconi, Esme McGowan and Umi Pawlyn.
Check out the Bomb Factory press release on "Shades of Resistance" for more information or visit their Eventbrite page to know more about the event.
credits
1. Stazzy: View Reel, 2024
2. Sena Tabea Nehme: always exactly the same, 2024
3. Shaggy: The People's Passion, 2021 to 2024
4. Sylver Eulalee Mair: sY?lver SYSTEMS: It’s Not Black And White, 2024
2. Sena Tabea Nehme: always exactly the same, 2024
3. Shaggy: The People's Passion, 2021 to 2024
4. Sylver Eulalee Mair: sY?lver SYSTEMS: It’s Not Black And White, 2024
Marianna Capelli
Blog Editor and Writer
Marianna Capelli is a writer, editor, and bookseller by profession. She relocated to London from northern Italy and pursued a double BA in Art History and Mandarin from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
When not selling books, Marianna likes being opinionated about things and writing about art, culture, and everything queer.
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