The Romani Cultural & Arts Company (RCAC) is pleased to announce their continued project Gypsy Maker 5 showing, a new exhibition of artworks by artists Imogen Bright Moon, Corrina Eastwood and Rosamaria Kostic Cisneros and receiving funding support from the Arts Council of Wales.
This exciting installation of specially commissioned work is the latest in our ground-breaking Gypsy Maker project, an initiative that supports the development of innovatively created artistic works by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller artists. The Gypsy Maker 5 project expands the work of the RCAC by continuing to engage GRT communities with the wider public in an ongoing dialogue about the ways in which art continues to inform our lives today.
Each of the artists employs a variety of media within their work. Imogen Bright Moon is a British-Romani craftswoman, studio weaver and exhibiting artist-maker in textiles. Imogen combines hand-weaving with storytelling, folklore, and heritage crafts to create her studio textiles. Her works employ hand-spun yarns on simple wooden looms to explore the ongoing story of textiles and their place in our lives today.
Corrina Eastwood is an artist, art psychotherapist, lecturer, writer and activist. Corrina is Romani and has been prompted by her personal experiences of marginalisation and oppression, felt at the intersect of being both a GRT (Gypsy Romani Traveller) and as a woman, to develop, an interest in the privileging of marginalised voices and challenging, social disparities and normative power, through art, activism and education.
Rosamaria Kostic Cisneros is a professional dancer, choreographer, curator and qualified teacher, who has lived and danced in various parts of the world, collaborating with many Flamenco greats and other leaders in the Dance field. She is also a Dance Historian and Critic, Roma Scholar, Flamenco Historian and Peace Activist. Cisneros has taught throughout Europe and the US, and in Germany, Spain and Turkey.
“We are very pleased to be able to showcase work by exceptional artists from the Roma Community. We look forward to continuing our work and growing our partnership with the Romani Cultural & Arts Company and the wider community; providing more opportunities to get creative and take part in fun and inspiring cultural activities at The Riverfront.” Gemma Durham, Head of Theatre, Arts & Culture, Newport Live
“We are so proud to continue our ground-breaking work with GRT artists, with support from the Arts Council of Wales. This project will strengthen the role of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers on the arts scene in Wales, the UK and beyond.” Isaac Blake; Director of the Romani Cultural & Arts Company
“The ground-breaking work of the RCAC in supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller artists is unparalleled. The Gypsy Maker project is unique worldwide in commissioning new bodies of work by GRT artists thus enabling the production of significant new knowledge from an underrepresented group and making a valuable contribution to international contemporary art and cultural discourse.” Dr Daniel Baker
There remains a regrettable shortage of knowledge about this exciting community. The further showcasing of its artistic heritage and current cultural innovation will benefit greatly both members of GRT communities and the wider population.
