AN INSTALLATION BY KARIS RICHARDS - 1ST OCTOBER - 12TH NOVEMBER 2023, ROUNDHOUSE BAR & CAFE.

“For her first solo exhibition, Digital Illustrator Karis Richards presents ALBUM: a series of portraits of iconic past performances by Black artists on the Roundhouse’s Main Stage, on view throughout Black History Month.

Championing Black artists and pop culture icons throughout her work, Richards’ fresh perspective on these figures results in playful compositions, combining the reverence the artist has towards the subjects, as well as the positivity they radiate in wider spheres. In a time when existing can be bleak and stagnant, these artists provide a shining beacon of hope and inspiration to keep pushing forward.

Taking influence from the exhibition space at the Roundhouse, all of these artists have performed in the iconic Main Space, inspiring numerous audiences in Camden, and all over the world. The vintage, upcycled frames used in the installation aim to give the entire installation an atmosphere of family portraits, and photo albums holding nostalgic feelings and cherished memories. These performances have become themselves key moments in the lives of those who attended and for Richards herself, and by presenting these figures in this way, she re-lives these moments, hopefully sparking a chain reaction of inspiration, passing on through communities and generations. “