Delaine Le Bas's Romani Embassy: An Ongoing Activist Performance Challenging Roma Exclusion
In 2015, Delaine Le Bas, a Romani artist, developed the installation and performance titled Romani Embassy to highlight the underrepresentation of Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller (GRT) groups. Drawing inspiration from the 1972 Aboriginal Embassy protest in Canberra, this adaptable piece has been showcased in various venues, including the European Commission and London in 2021. The project invites public engagement through the sharing of images using #RomaniEmbassy. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Le Bas participated in the inaugural Romani Pavilion at the 2007 Venice Biennale and played a role in founding the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC). Her work challenges the institutional racism and marginalization experienced by Roma communities throughout Europe.
Key facts
- Delaine Le Bas created the ongoing performance Romani Embassy in 2015.
- The work addresses the lack of a homeland or embassy for Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller communities.
- It was inspired by the 1972 Aboriginal Embassy protest in Canberra, Australia.
- The piece is mutable, changing in size and appearance, and exists both physically and virtually.
- Le Bas was part of the first Romani Pavilion at the 2007 Venice Biennale.
- She helped establish the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
- Romani Embassy evolved from Gypsy Revolution, a 2012 joint work with her husband Damian Le Bas.
- The work invites public participation via a downloadable sign and the hashtag #RomaniEmbassy.
Entities
Artists
- Delaine Le Bas
- Damian Le Bas
- Damian James Le Bas
Institutions
- Central Saint Martins
- University of the Arts London
- Venice Biennale
- European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture
- ERIAC
- Kai Dikhas Institute
- Kai Dikhas Foundation
- Helsinki International Artist Programme Residency
- The Guardian
- First Roma Pavilion
- What We Wore project
- Romani Herstory
- European Commission
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Berlin
- Germany
- Venice
- Italy
- Canberra
- Australia
- Malmo
- Sweden
- France
- Finland
- Helsinki