Carnival Arts – A Retrospective.

Venue: 300 Harrow Rd. London W2 5HG – 28/9/24 –16/11/24

The exhibition was a collaboration between Flamboyan Carnival Arts and CAMF (Carnival Arts and Masquerade Foundation), an organisation representing some of UK’s Carnival masquerade bands, and was done as a tribute to three pioneers of Notting Hill Carnival; Shabaka Thompson, Larry Forde and Gloria Cummins. The latter two whom created Flamboyan.  

The carnival exhibition was titled from Roots to Trees, and invited visitors to embark on a journey starting from: The Roots, where inspirations are born through meticulous research, sketches and designs, leading on to the formation of: The Saplings, made of the fabrics, materials and accessories that develop into head dresses, collars, arms and leg pieces. Finally, The Trees, represent the larger individual finished costumes.

Contributors to the exhibition:

Larry Forde’s meticulous drawings, designs and structures of the founding and mature carnival years. Gloria Cummins’ inspired wardrobe of different cultures. Carl Gabriel and Max Davis’ intricate weaved sculptures of bamboo, wire and papier maché. Dexter Khan’s ornate beads and feather headdresses and accessories. Helen Davenport’s explorations in fabrics and paints. Shabaka and Angela Duncan Thompson’s resplendent historical, cultural references – some in natural fibres. Kamal El Alaoui’s mouldings in plaster zote and painted fabrics. Ray Mahabir and Ali Pretty’s ornate décor, fabric designs and shapes. Ruthven Roberts’ use of colour and shapes on fabrics. This is a collection of present and past Carnival pioneers on display.