In 2020, as the world watched the murder of George Floyd and the wave of protest that followed across continents, Journal Black was curated at Elements Bar as an immediate and heartfelt response. At a time marked by grief, anger, reflection, and global solidarity, the exhibition asked a simple but urgent question through art: what does it mean to be Black in the UK?

Bringing together a group of artists working across painting, photography, mixed media, and installation, the exhibition created a space for personal and political expression. The works explored identity, injustice, heritage, resistance, and the realities of everyday lived experience. Each piece acted as a visual journal, documenting thoughts and emotions that were being felt collectively yet experienced individually.

Journal Black took place during the height of the pandemic, when restrictions shaped how people could gather, view, and engage with art. Despite these challenges, the exhibition became a vital site of dialogue and reflection at a moment when coming together felt both necessary and difficult.

Alongside the exhibition, a series of filmed interviews were conducted with participating artists. These conversations captured honest reflections on being Black in the UK and the role of art during a time of social unrest and global uncertainty. This footage remains unreleased and is planned to form part of future exhibitions and programming, allowing the story of Journal Black to continue beyond its original presentation.

Journal Black remains a significant moment in the curatorial journey behind Sahlavision Art, demonstrating a commitment to creating platforms for artists responding to urgent social realities and preserving these voices for future audiences.