Feeling Her Way, Sonia Boyce, British Pavilion, #biennalearte2022


I decided against visiting the much praised French Pavilion as the queue to get in was too long and instead nipped up the steps next door to the British offering. No queue, no crowds. And yet, in a few hours @SoniaBoyce was awarded the Golden Lion for the Best National Presentation. Take that you popular, tango-dancing French types!
Perhaps other visitors to the Venice Giardini weren't as excited as I was at seeing Basingstoke's own @TanitaTikaram performing along with Jacqui Dankworth and Poppy Ajudha, led by the composer Errollyn Wallen. The recordings were made at Abbey Road Studios and appear to be of no great musical merit to these ears. But the effect of seeing them sing together for the first time - with Wallen nodding away in approval - was impressive. There's also a wall of 'Devotional' with cassette tapes, singles, discs and posters of successful women of colour from the British popular music scene. From Shirley Bassey to the Spice Girls and beyond.
A good concept, well presented, shame about the 'tunes'.





Location: Giardini della Biennale, C. Giazzo, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

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