In her TEDxNCHLondon talk, art director and set designer Jade Adeyemi explores our theme ‘Activism in the Modern Day’ by reflecting on the history of black hair, how it has been used as a symbol of protest in the past, and how her art challenges white-centric beauty ideals. Jade focuses on the ways in which black women are reclaiming their hair, and thus challenging ‘whiteness’ as a beauty ideal in our society. This forms the basis of her own activism, embodied in her work, ‘If Hair Could Talk’. This art installation was inspired by her own experiences growing up as a Black British woman, and is a vital exploration of how art can be used as a tool of activism in the modern day. Jade Adeyemi is a multidisciplinary designer in learning. Recently graduated from Goldsmiths University, BA Design. Her works delve into the intersections of her own identity, both questioning it as a whole, as well as a woman of colour. Jade is inspired by her surroundings as well as previous eras. Her most current works explore these areas – questioning power struggles, bringing subconscious regions to the forefront, dissecting them in both the creative world and society as a whole. Through external projects to her course, Jade is experiencing what she believes others failed to inform her on life. This approach has led to her experimental nature towards projects through the immersion in novel environments, with the aim of inspiring others subconsciously as well as directly. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
If Hair Could Talk | Jade Adeyemi | TEDxNCHLondon