Jonathan Benitez on October 30, 2024
Chilli Art Projects and Peggy are excited to announce Subterranea, a fundraising art show and auction, uniting artists from across continents to raise funds for ARTNOIR, an NYC-based global collective championing Black and Brown creatives. Taking place at Chilli Art Projects in London, this transatlantic partnership between ARTNOIR and Chilli Art Projects celebrates the enduring connections within the global Black community, exploring shared histories, identities, and futures through a powerful collection of contemporary works.
About the Event
Title: Subterranea
Date: October 31, 2024 until November 7, 2024
Venue: Chilli Art Projects, London
In collaboration with Peggy, Subterranea will feature a live auction of works by emerging international Black artists, with proceeds supporting ARTNOIR’s mission to promote cultural equity, foster collaboration, and highlight the creative contributions of Black and Brown artists worldwide. This exhibition is a bridge between two organizations separated by oceans, yet united by a shared vision of artistic empowerment.
Transatlantic Connections
At its core, Subterranea is an exploration of the deep-rooted connections within the global Black community—ties that span continents and oceans, uniting artists, curators, and collectors in the shared pursuit of representation, equity, and cultural exchange. Through the partnership between ARTNOIR in New York and Chilli Art Projects in London, this event exemplifies the power of collaboration in expanding access and visibility for Black creatives worldwide.
ARTNOIR, a collective founded to celebrate Black and Brown creatives, has been a driving force for cultural equity in the arts since its inception. Meanwhile, Chilli Art Projects, founded by Aubrey Higgin, has carved out a space in London’s art scene for emerging, international voices, making it a perfect host for this event. Together, these two organizations are shaping new narratives, championing diverse perspectives, and fostering artistic dialogue that transcends geographical boundaries.
Featured Artists
The Subterranea show brings together a diverse roster of emerging Black artists, each contributing their unique vision and creative process to the global conversation on identity, history, and the future of Black creativity:
- Stephen Price (Italy/UK)
Price’s textural portraits explore Black identity through layered charcoal and vibrant color, depicting figures that exist within timeless landscapes, rich with emotional resonance. - Richard Mensah (Ghana/UK)
Mensah’s layered compositions draw from the Harlem Renaissance and African fabrics, constructing an image of a contemporary African Renaissance and reflecting on the interconnectedness of Black identity across the globe. - Daniel Santangelo (Italy/Ethiopia-Eritrea)
Santangelo’s mystical works transport viewers into alternate universes, where cultural memory, spirituality, and mythology intertwine to reflect the African diaspora experience. - Huey Ruckus (Ireland/USA)
Ruckus (also known as Rejjie Snow) channels his experiences as a musician and artist into vibrant, graffiti-like works that merge surreal imagery with the everyday life of Black youth culture. - Temi Wynston Edun (Nigeria/UK)
Edun’s abstract portraits challenge viewers to confront historical and cultural representations of Blackness, stripping down social tropes to reveal the raw, unfiltered essence of his subjects.
The Auction: Empowering Creatives and Communities
The live auction at Subterranea offers a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire works by these groundbreaking artists while directly supporting ARTNOIR’s initiatives to empower Black and Brown creatives globally. Funds raised will contribute to ARTNOIR’s programs that connect artists, curators, and cultural leaders, providing mentorship, resources, and visibility for the next generation of Black talent.
A Global Conversation Through Art
Subterranea isn’t just an exhibition—it’s a call to engage with the global conversation on Black creativity and community. It’s a reflection of the shared histories, struggles, and triumphs of Black people across oceans, and a celebration of the role art plays in bridging these connections. By supporting this event, audiences are joining a movement that uplifts voices, builds communities, and fosters a richer, more inclusive art world.
Join us for this extraordinary evening of art and philanthropy, as we come together to create meaningful change in the arts.
For press inquiries, please contact art@peggy.com
