I’m happy to share this inspiring conversation with Dr. Jareh Das on the legacy of the legendary Nigerian ceramicist, Ladi Kwali.

Dr. Das is a brilliant researcher, writer, and curator who lives and works between West Africa and the UK. Her interests in (global) modern and contemporary art are cross-disciplinary. Her understanding is filtered through the lens of performance art, which informs both her academic and curatorial work.

In this episode, we delve into her recent documentary “The Enduring Legacy of Ladi Kwali’. A thoughtful exploration of Kwali’s groundbreaking work as a Gwari potter and pioneer of modern African ceramics which centres the voices of people from Kwali’s communities.

We talk about Ladi Kwali’s impact in her communities, matrilineal pottery traditions, ethical research practices, and the vital role of community in sustaining traditions.

Find out more about Dr Jareh's work and documentary:

Website https://jarehdas.com/about/

Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNLJQhqFqM

Image (c) Nelta Kasparian 

I’m excited to share this insightful conversation I had with Okwoli Moses Elaigwu. Okwoli Moses is an educationist, writer, historian and accountant who takes a keen interest in oral literatures of Idoma/Kwararafa people in Nigeria.

This conversation was part of my Language of the Land research project funded by Creative Scotland. In our conversation we discuss the key philosophies underlying Idoma body art. The cultural significance of tattoos, body decoration (Ina Otu), body marking (Ina Opi) and accessories. ‘Ina

We focused on several philosophies of Obinde, body decoration, in Idoma Land: cleansing, rituals, averting death (Oma-Kwu), purifying the deceased for eternal rest (Emaidu), beautification (Ifa). Known as We also explore the deep connection Idoma people have with nature and the importance of passing on our cultural histories.

Find out more about Okwoli Moses’ work at Idoma Empire Education and Consultants website. And you can find the images that we talked about on my instagram page @gracebrowneartist

I’m delighted to share this laughter-filled conversation I had with Kialy Tihngang. Kialy is British-born Cameroonian visual artist working in sculpture, video, textiles, animation and photomontage, often in collaboration with performers and musicians.

I love the way Kialy’s work combines the humour of Nollywood with retrofuturism, satire and the visual language of adverts for Western audiences. She often creates fantastical artifacts which are animated and activated through film. Creating glimpses into poetic and humorous speculative worlds that raise a mirror to Blackness, queerness, Britishness, and the crushing structural oppressions that surround these personal themes.

We had a rich conversation about Kialy's fluid approach to mediums, the influence of Nollywood, exploring history as mythologies, and the challenges and joys of navigating multiple identities.

Find out more about Kialy’s work at https://www.kialytihngang.com/

The works we talked about were;

Fetissoes, 2023

Sculptural Installation, dimensions variable

For Those In Peril On The Sea, 2023

Single channel video, 8'36''

Fetissoes solo show at God's House Tower, Southhampton

Neyinka and the Silver Gong, 2024

Single channel video installation, 24'28''

Originially made for ‘fir gorma’, a Glasgow International duo show with Josie KO

interior life/abstract thought, 2023

Single channel video, 4'45''

Moving Parts Arts Digital Puppetry Commission

Watch online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If1CZzKS0ew

Toghu: Episodes 1 & 2

Single channel videos, 9'59'' and 11'51''

British Council New Narratives Commission  

It was an honour and joy to speak with the brilliant Jackie Kay on the podcast. Jackie Kay is a prolific and award-wining poet, playwright and novelist. From 2016 to 2021 she was the Makar, the poet laureate of Scotland.

Reading Jackie Kay’s work feels like such a warm balm to my spirit. She thoughtfully explores the beauty, challenges and complexities of life with love, grace and humour.

In our conversation we talk about the importance of community, keeping hope alive on the journey of activism, the strength in honesty and disguise in openness and how growing older reconnects us with our younger selves.

We talk about some of Jackie’s works;

• Coorie Doon, 2025, children’s book,
• May Day, 2024, poetry collection,
• The Lamplighter, 2009, which has been performed as a stage and radio play,
• Red Dust Road, 2010, an autobiographical journey.

Find out more about Jackie Kay;

'In My Own Words’ BBC Documentary

Jackie Kay on the Scots language, ’Word of Mouth’ radio

‘Authors Live’ BBC television

I’m delighted to share this joyful conversation with Mae Diansangu. Mae is a queer poet and spoken word artist from Aberdeen. Her debut poetry collection, Bloodsongs, was released by Tapsalteerie poetry press in 2024.

Reading Bloodsongs felt like a call and response—each poem invited something from me: a quiet hum at a powerful ending, laughter at the humour, or the urge to try voicing the Scots language. Listening to Mae’s spoken word poetry carries the same resonance, movement and rhythm.

In our conversation, we talked about:


• Mae’s beginnings with spoken word poetry
,
• moving between performing, drag and writing for the page,
• how writing in Scots influences her writing,

• the vulnerability of putting your work out into the world
• maintaining a creative outlet while balancing a day job,

• and the significance of having a supportive environment.

For more of Mae’s work, check out:


• Mae’s instagram
• Bloodsongs- pick up a copy from Tapsalterie Press
• National Library of Scotland Fresh Ink – Watch Here
 Symphony in Grey – Listen Here

Hope you enjoy the conversation!

Professor Herbert M. Cole (Professor Emeritus) taught the history of African Art and Architecture at the University of California Santa Barbara between 1968-2003. Professor Cole co-authored the seminal book "Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos" with Chike Aniakor. He is author, co-author, or editor of twelve books and more than 60 articles, essays or chapters.

Professor Cole turned 89 in 2024, we had a fascinating conversation about the deep relationship between Mbari and the rest of nature. Mbari are temporary large scale clay buildings filled with large clay figures made in the Owerri region of Igboland in Nigeria. They are communally made and created as an offering often to honour the Earth Goddess, Ala.

We explore their role as offerings to nature deities, the use of termite clay, the use of colour, recurring symbols and body art. As well as the humour and play embedded within the artform.

We talk about three of Professor Cole’s books;

- Mbari: Art and Life Among the Owerri Igbo, 1982

- Igbo Arts Community And Cosmos, co-authored with Chike Aniakor, 1984

- Igbo: Visions of Africa series by Five Continents, 2013

Check out the images we discussed here; PDF with images

The link will also be on my instagram @gracebrowne

African Women's Art Podcast is hosted, produced and edited by Grace Browne.

I am delighted to share this inspiring conversation I had with Beulah Ezeugo. Beulah is a researcher and curator. Her practice engages with postcolonial geographies, archives and memory, and expands outwards through exhibition-making, programming, and publication.

Recent engagements and awards include SIRIUS Critic-in-Residence (2024), 11:11 x iniva Stuart Hall Library Residency (2024), and Platform Commissions, 41st EVA International, selected by Iarlaith NI Fheorais and Roy Claire Potter (2025). Beulah is currently a research associate at CCA Derry~Londonderry, and one-half of the collective Éireann & I Archive, a migrant memory project. 

In our conversation we explored the complexities and possibilities of creating a community archive. Beulah shared thoughtful insights on what it means to be an empathetic witness and custodian. We also explore the importance of play, building trust and the patience that’s needed to sit with gaps in histories.

Hope you enjoy the conversation and you can find out more about Beulah's work;

Beulah’s website: https://bio.site/beulahezeugo

Éireann & I:  https://eireannandiarchive.com/

It was such a pleasure to chat with Dorine Mugisha. Dorine is an international performer, instructor, retreat leader and project manager.

We talked about making space for play and self expression, her journey so far including her beginnings in law & Sociology, her solo piece Asili and creating her retreat in Tanzania. Dorine also shared how her love for the dance style Whacking began and it’s freedom of expression.

Find out more about Dorine and her work at;

www.bodymovement.me 

Instagram: @dorine_mugisha 

Instagram: @whackingscotland

I’m delighted to share this inspiring conversation I had with Banji Chona. Banji is an artist, researcher, curator and scholar of Zambezian earth. 

When I think of Banji’s work, I think of care in all of it’s definitions. The attention and thought she uses in bringing together ancestral baTonga knowledge with experimental contemporary techniques. Her deep consideration when working in community and the love that roots her methodology of Radical Zambezian Reimaginings. It is a portal that leads to the creation of alternative perspectives that challenge and repair pre-existing asymmetries in history, wounds that have informed the present. 

In our conversation we explore all this as well as earth based alchemy and the interconnections between our ancestral practices, the earth and the present day. 

Find out more about Banji

Website; https://www.banjichona.space/

Instagram; @banjichona

I had a brilliant chat with Femi Bajulaye about the importance of women in Yoruba arts and cultural creation. 

Femi is a Yoruba Artist whose artistic practice, writing and film production focus on issues of migration, African identity and the spirituality of Yoruba cosmology.

In this conversation we talk about the importance of women in Yoruba arts and cultural creation.  We discuss the book Painting for the Gods by Bolaji Campbell which explores the language of Orisa paintings. As well as Mojo Okediji’s work with Akire artists. 

We explore the importance of being with the unknown, the significance of earth colours and Oju Ona, Yoruba concept of design consciousness. We also talk about Femi’s upcoming short film "Ekun Omi: Tears of Desert Water" 

Check out Femi’s youtube channel Bàjúláyé for more insight into Yoruba cosmology and aesthetics; https://www.youtube.com/@Bajulaye888

And Instagram; @bbbajulaye