Cephas Williams's Portrait of Black Britain Returns to Manchester with 228 Portraits
The exhibition, Portrait of Black Britain, by Cephas Williams, will be showcased at Aviva Studios in Manchester from 1 to 31 October. This free event features 228 portraits of Black individuals from Manchester and across the UK, including nine new pieces. Initially commissioned for the Manchester International Festival (MIF) in 2021, the project has grown from its original 116 portraits exhibited at the Arndale Centre. Williams seeks to capture the essence of diverse Black British life, emphasizing community contributions over celebrity status. Among the participants for the 2026 showcase are Jasmin Issaka, Baka Bah, Shirley May, and Adeola Adelakun. An artist talk with Williams and John McGrath from Factory International is set for 17 October, from 3 to 4 pm, with free booking required.
Key facts
- Portrait of Black Britain opens in The Social at Aviva Studios, Manchester, from 1–31 October with free entry
- The exhibition features 228 portraits of Black people from Manchester and across the UK, including nine new works
- The project was originally commissioned for Manchester International Festival (MIF) 2021, when 116 portraits were shown in Manchester's Arndale Centre
- Cephas Williams conceived the project amid renewed conversations on race and representation following the murder of George Floyd
- Williams intends the archive to eventually comprise 1,000 photographic portraits of Black people living in the UK
- Williams's other projects include 56 Black Men, Letter to Zion and the Black Network
- Participants in the 2026 presentation include Jasmin Issaka, Baka Bah, Shirley May and Adeola Adelakun
- An artist talk with Cephas Williams and Factory International Artistic Director John McGrath is scheduled for 17 October, 3–4pm, free with booking required
Entities
Artists
- Cephas Williams
- Jasmin Issaka
- Baka Bah
- Shirley May
- Adeola Adelakun
- John McGrath
- George Floyd
Institutions
- Aviva Studios
- Factory International
- Manchester International Festival
- Arndale Centre
- The Social
- Art Plugged
Locations
- Manchester
- United Kingdom
- Moss Side