“When we’re together, we’re powerful” Professor Rosemary Hunter, Head of Kent Law School.
On 18 March 2023, students and members of staff from the University of Kent gathered for The Human Experience arts exhibition and competition. Sponsored by the Law School, the Afro-Diasporic Legal Network (ADLN) presented another volume of incredible talent presenting The Human Experience Vol. III with the theme of ‘togetherness’.
One of the event organisers and KLS alumnus, Sikemi Okunrinboye, wrote her reflections on the occasion. She writes: It was an evening to just take a step back, live in art and appreciate it in its different forms, being witnesses to students being courageous in showing us what matters to them.
Like the previous year, the Colyer-Fergusson Hall and the Foyer at the Gulbenkian were radiating with talent consisting of spoken word, music, and visual art. Established by students, this lived to its reputation of being a platform where students could express themselves and use their voice in any art form they wanted.
Art exhibition in the Gulbenkian foyer
This year, we tried to reflect more on community as it has proved to be our solace whilst being our most powerful tool for change, a reminder that “collective action works” as Khaliq Martin, co-founder of ADLN said during the evening. We asked students to talk about the importance of community to them. And as with last year, our student performers and artists showed us nothing but amazing artworks, each interpreting the theme differently while some inspired us by imagining or calling for change.
L-R Destiny and Pearl
We could not have asked for a better audience who showed and engaged with the exhibition in the best way possible.
I am personally very grateful to the students, KLS, and the audience for this continuous blessing – something that we always hope continues for years to come. Importantly, let us remember to be active participants in our individual and communal lives, but we must also remember that we cannot be fearful in talking about our concerns and challenging norms, laws, or institutions. Essentially, these actions, when done together can create the change we desperately need.
L-R Event co-hosts AK and Wura
Competition winners
The standard of submissions was extremely high, but the work of four students particularly stood out. The award in each of the four categories go to:
Singing
Tolu Adesanya
Spoken word
Shaghayegh (‘Shah’) Ghezelayagh
Visual art
Mira Al-Najjar
People’s choice
Khadijah Manjang
Well done to all those that took part and made the event so special.
Filming of The Human Experience Vol. III