Gypsy Revolution
Project by Damian and Delaine Le Bas
"Damian and Delaine Le Bas start a Gypsy Revolution"
“After centuries of continuous oppression, 'Gypsy' will be reclaimed by the Gypsies.”
Gypsy Revolution is not just an exhibition, it’s a project that artists Delaine and Damian Le Bas say will “challenge the structures that continue to oppress the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities across Europe.”
The Roma are not a homogeneous group, yet the term gypsy has become a by-word for a whole host of negative connotations.
Seeking to rectify this, the Le Bas duo, both from Romany Gypsy and Travelling groups of the UK, present a series of paintings, collage, fabric, photographic and film works challenging assumptions about their communities.
“It seeks to open new possibilities by working with a range of other artists, curators and writers to work towards a transformation of the structures that continue to control 'Gypsy' as a word, as a people, as a culture,” explain the artists.
Plans for Gypsy Revolution began in January, 2012, when the pair were artists in residence at HIAP in Helsinki, and work on the collaborative project is still in process.
The exhibition includes a spoken word event, curated with their son Damian James Le Bas, which focuses on the Romani Language and literature written by members of the community.
– Ruth Hazard, 20 July 2012, Culture24