Who we are
Our Vision is to help create a more inclusive understanding of British history by celebrating African and Caribbean contributions through this new national artwork, fostering shared identity and community engagement.
Tapestry of Black Britons will be a series of 12 two-metre-long woven tapestries, including a digital version, exploring the African Caribbean contribution to Britain from Romans onward, echoing the Bayeux Tapestry and Akan woven technique. Imagery incl: portraits, seminal historical moments, protest, joy, African deities and diasporic poetic imagery. It addresses gaps in Black British history awareness with most unaware of over 1,500 years of Black presence.
These tapestries will be created in collaborations with creatives and communities around Britain and creatives from the diaspora. First panel will be displayed in May 2025 at the Arnolfini (Bristol) then Birmingham and Liverpool; touring around London and Manchester in 2026 to commemorate 100 years of Black History Month; and by 2028 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Windrush, a key anchor point in the history of the Black presence, all twelve 2 metre panels will tour nationally and internationally.
About the Founder
Paula Ogun Hector is founder/creative director of Tapestry of Black Britons CIC, designed to create a series of digitally woven tapestries depicting the African and Caribbean contribution to Britain from Romans onwards.
Influenced by the work of Professor Paul Gilroy, Professor Stuart Hall and curator Okwui Enwezor, Paula has presented inclusive histories for over 20 years firstly in TV (BBC Black Britain; BBC When Black Became Beautiful); then PR (Commission for Racial Equality, Centrepoint, BFI’s Black World Season) and as an educator, establishing and leading a provision for neurodiverse 11 to 16-year-olds.
Lack of awareness about Black British history perpetuates incomplete historical narratives, contributing to underrepresentation and exclusion of Black British stories in mainstream heritage. This new tapestry directly addresses historical erasure by creating a living artwork that presents a more inclusive understanding of British history.
Paula is dedicated to building connections between diverse communities and creative wellbeing via Tapestry programming; and also works to develop partnerships that can provide creative careers opportunities, at all ages. Paula will continue to deliver Tapestry of Black Britons workshops in primary and secondary schools will continue gathering imagery for a new poetry tapestry with links to the National Curriculum for K2 and K3/4. University workshops that support the development of new tapestry panels begins in summer 2025 with University of Birmingham University Culture Forward.
