Black Audio Film Collective (John Akomfrah; Reece Auguiste; Edward George; Lina Gopaul; Avril Johnson; David Lawson; Trevor Mathison)

Handsworth Songs

1986

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In Tate Britain

Walk Through British Art: Sixty years

Free entry

Artist: Black Audio Film Collective (John Akomfrah; Reece Auguiste; Edward George; Lina Gopaul; Avril Johnson; David Lawson; Trevor Mathison) 1982–98 born 1958; born 1958; born1963; born 1959; born 1958; born 1962; born 1960
Medium: Film, 16 mm, or video, projection, colour and sound (mono)
Dimensions: Duration: 59min
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Presented by Tate Members 2008
Reference: T12862

Display caption

Handsworth Songs is a richly-layered documentary representing the hopes and dreams of post-war black British people in the light of the civil disturbances of the 1980s. It engages with Britain’s colonial past, public and private memories, and the struggles of race and class.
The title refers to the riots in Handsworth, Birmingham during September 1985. The soundtrack is influenced by reggae, punk and the post-industrial noise movement. Black Audio Film Collective was founded in 1982 by a group of sociology, psychology and fine art students. The collective undertook all aspects of the production and distribution of their films.

Gallery label, August 2018

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