Long based in Brent, Rasheed Araeen’s practice has been devoted to reassessing and rewriting histories. Through his artistic work and prolific writing over six decades, Araeen has developed insight into means of making and ways of thinking in a shifting colonial context.

Rasheed Araeen’s 1978 essay ‘Preliminary Notes for a Black Manifesto’, was first published in his independent magazine Black Phoenix, the text interrogates the lack of support from arts institutions for the artists in the UK of Asian and African origins. More than forty years since publication, its questions remain as relevant as ever.

Araeen’s 'Reading Room' (2016-ongoing), which has been gifted to Metroland Cultures, is featured at the visitors hub of the Brent Biennial 2022, In the House of My Love. 'Reading Room' consists of seating and table structures housing the first one hundred issues of 'Third Text’. The journal, established by Araeen in Brent in 1987, remains at the forefront of debates exploring art, culture and postcolonialism.

With thanks to Brent Libraries and Archives and Rasheed Araeen Studios.