BLM EXHIBITION

Erin James (she/they) is a multi-disciplinary artist, activist, and facilitator working at the

intersection of art and social change. They use art forms such as poetry and sound, curating

and facilitation, archiving and photography as vessels for "artivism". Erin has performed poetry

across Sussex and had their poetry added to the curriculum at Sussex University. They are the

founder of the socially engaged zine Tough Cookie Mag and co-founder of the QTIBIPOC

collective We Bamboo. They were the 2023 Stuart Hall Research Fellow at Sussex University,

and they are currently undertaking a Masters in Media Practice for Development and Social

Change there, researching decolonial archival practices by marginalised communities.

Curator Bio:

As a Black-mixed person who’s grown up in Brighton, I have a deeply personal connection to

the city, one of both joy and hurt. The resurfacing of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020

after the murder of George Floyd was the first time I’d seen my city come alive with passion and

rage for my community, and it is a moment that changed my life. To have the opportunity to

curate an exhibition that looks not only to historicise this moment, but to document all of the life,

art, organisations, movements, relationships and memories that have come of a result, is an

honour. I hope this exhibition can serve not only as a reminder and a celebration, but as a

resource of history and memory for those who need it most.

Jean Jules Wachter (JJ) is the founder and director of Mid-Street Lab, a community-driven art space in Brighton dedicated to redefining creativity and accessibility. A former banker turned altruistic art champion, JJ fosters inclusive, participatory art that connects people and promotes mental well-being. His vision: to make art a meaningful, essential part of everyday life.

Mid-Street Lab Tag Line: Embrace community well-being through positive imagery

Quote: highlighted yellow bellow

For context: extract from April article in Discover Magazine

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“Q: You transitioned from a successful finance career to running an art space. What led to that shift?

JJ Wachter: I didn’t choose this—I had to. Turning 40 in Jan 2020, I watched our beliefs in peace, progress and trust unravel. Covid shook our confidence and George Floyd’s televised murder on May 25, forced the world to confront its humanity.  

Then, something powerful happened in Brighton. Thousands stood together for Black Lives Matter, a moment of solidarity that felt like a collective embrace. As a person of color, I heard the city say: "We see you. This is not okay. You’ll be fine." Brighton’s heart and commitment to anti-racism were and still is undeniable… 

But even with this collective unity, I realized something clear: racism isn’t just a flaw—it’s a feature of the free market. It shapes how we interact, assign value, and consume art. The art world mirrors this system, often without question. But art is not—should not be—just a market.

Studying Social Anthropology at SOAS London post COVID deepened my understanding of culture, identity, and storytelling. In reflecting on all of this, I ask myself: What do I want to build for the next generation? And the answer isn’t another face-first branding or financial  model. Art isn’t a hobby or a luxury. It’s a survival tool. To that, some people paint, some write, some build—I create spaces where ideas collide - a creative local community where art is organic and accessible, meaningful and essential.”