Reimagining Leonardo’s Last Supper: A Public Art Piece in London
London’s Royal Academy of Arts has unveiled a striking public art piece by Bahamian artist Tavares Strachan titled “The First Supper (Galaxy Black)” as part of the exhibition “Entangled Pasts 1768-now: Art, Colonialism and Change”. The artwork features 12 Black figures from history who have overcome oppression, including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Shirley Chisholm, Harriet Tubman, and Marsha P. Johnson.
Depicting himself as Judas, Strachan’s piece challenges traditional narratives by highlighting marginalized figures. The exhibition curator Dorothy Price notes the significance of monuments in the show, alongside works by other artists like Olu Ogunnaike and Yinka Shonibare that subvert traditional monument concepts.
Inspired by the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston in 2020, the exhibition showcases over 100 works that explore themes of empire, enslavement, resistance, and colonialism. Artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Sonia Boyce, Benjamin West, Isaac Julien, and Barbara Walker are also featured in the exhibition.
Source
Naz Baydar graduated from Middle East Technical University with a degree in Product Design. She furthered her education by completing a master’s degree in Art Direction at Elisava in Barcelona. Her work blends art direction, multimedia narratives, and design to craft innovative and transformative experiences. Naz is passionate about creating visual stories that evoke strong emotions and deliver meaningful impact. In addition to her work, she has a deep interest in philosophy and literature, which continuously inspire and enrich her creative process.