Seed Archives: A Living Archive of Black Art and Books Opens in London

Established in 2021 by photographer Christian Cassiel, Seed Archives serves as a vibrant repository for Black art and literature in London. It features an impressive collection of over 300 rare print books focused on Africa and the Caribbean, as well as curated art pieces, including Baoulé statues. The archive invites the public on weekends and allows access by invitation during weekdays, creating an intimate living room atmosphere where guests can interact with artifacts and books, thus redefining conventional archival practices. Cassiel highlights the importance of engaging with culturally significant items and advocates for contemporary Black artists, stressing that while discussions about the restitution of looted Benin bronzes are ongoing, supporting living artists remains critical. The archive showcases five significant publications: 'Baugh: Jamaica's Master Potter' by Laura Tanna, 'Modern Architecture of Curaçao' by Michael Newton, 'Caribbean Studies: A Symposium' by Vera Rubin, 'Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica's Gift to the World' by Yasus Afari, and 'Afrocentricity' by Molefi Kete Asante, covering topics from Jamaican ceramics to Afrocentric philosophy.