Lubaina Himid

In this episode, Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid chats with Carrie Scott for a conversation that peels back the layers of her remarkable artistic journey. From her innovative representations of women to her thoughtful reflections on cultural identity, Himid offers rare insights into both her creative process and philosophical approach to art-making. She shares her perspective on the often-overlooked role of "aunties" in community structures, reveals why numbers and repetition feature prominently in her work, and explains why she believes art's greatest power lies in showing us that "anything is possible." Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for how Himid's personal experiences and cultural observations transform into powerful visual statements that continue to challenge and inspire audiences worldwide.Himid's work explores themes of race, identity, colonial history, and the contributions of Black individuals often erased from history. She frequently uses painting, installation, and mixed media to challenge dominant narratives, drawing attention to overlooked stories and figures. Himid won the Turner Prize in 2017, becoming the first Black woman to receive the award. Her art is both politically charged and visually striking, often incorporating vibrant colors and theatrical compositions to engage with historical and contemporary social issues.From Carrie: "It doesn't matter how much you research or think about these conversations, they kind of go wherever they're meant to go. But the thing that is like finally kicking in for me, having now done a few of these, is that I'm in such a ridiculously privileged position to talk to these artists because actually hearing it from the horse's mouth changes the work and my understanding of what she does completely changed over the course of an hour. I went in a fan, I left a bigger fan and I now get why I'm a fan. For me, Lubaina Himid's kind of displaced culture and this sort of in -between space she navigates being a British woman who makes work, but also a Zanzibari woman who makes work, it speaks to me as a person who left the UK as a kid and came back here and hell we all know I can't pick a accent for crying out loud. So I think it's that, right? I think it's that I want you all to listen to these conversations and make up your own mind about the work and the art and what the art does for you. And I gotta say this one was was pretty extraordinary for me personally. I'd kind of like to know if it is for you."Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast. Liked what you heard? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content by becoming a member of Seen at seen.art (https://seen.art) . If you want to connect with us between episodes, follow us on Instagram, @watchseenart (  / watchseenart  ) .About the Seeing SeriesThe Seeing Series gets to the heart of what makes an artist tick. By always searching for the motivating truth behind an artist’s practice, we give viewers insider access to some of the most exciting artists in the world, all in a down-to-earth, honest way. From established artists like Rashid Johnson to emerging stars like Simonette Quamina, we speak to the good and the great of the artworld, ultimately creating an accurate portrait of how creatives survive, flourish and function today.