With a mission to reclaim space for artists and local communities of colour, non-profit arts family flat 70 is pleased to announce the launch of Reclaim Space – a campaign with a mission to celebrate African and Caribbean artists, set to take over 15 of JCDecaux UK’s digital screens across iconic locations in the heart of London’s cultural districts.

Bringing black art to the high street, the two-week walkable exhibition will launch on Monday 22 March and will see the works of 14 talented artists adorn billboards across flat 70’s home neighbourhood Elephant & Castle, alongside iconic Southbank Tower and Shoreditch Showcase. Visitors and passersby will be able to scan a QR code found on each digital screen, allowing them to view a map of the walking tour of the outdoor gallery.

Located in Elephant Park, flat 70 was founded in February 2020 by siblings Anthony and Senam Badu in response to the regeneration of the area and the need to hold space for communities of colour. Celebrating and exchanging the gift of African and Caribbean culture, flat 70 offers a function-fluid space for artists, designers and cultural workers of African and Caribbean heritage as well as other traditionally marginalised groups. flat 70 is underpinned by 5 core pillars: artist development, artist care, financial empowerment, cultural celebration, and cultural exchange.

In collaboration with JCDecaux UK, Reclaim Space is a celebration of black artist’s craft and the important space they occupy as a source of inspiration for society. flat 70 has selected 14 contemporary African and Caribbean visual artists from their network, all at different stages in their career, some from around the corner and others from around the world. The line-up of artists set to join the campaign include the talented: Ajamu X, Heather Agyepong, Adama Jalloh, Chiizii, Hanson Akatti, David Alabo, Sierra Nallo, Kunti Dabo, Jacob V Joyce, Chris Adu, Hamed Maiye, Lucy Adjoa Armah (Saman Archive), Akeelah Bertram, Ethel Tawe, and Edward Lobo.

Senam Badu, Co-Founder and Communications Director at flat 70 says: “Our family grew up on an infamous housing estate that was constantly misrepresented and is gradually disappearing. For our family, home means a space of rest, refuge and celebration. flat 70 was our door number which we saved before demolition and fixed onto our new space. Working with family in mind makes it easier to centre care, trust, communication and dedication which are essential tools for a socially engaged art practice.

We lost the keys to our childhood home and in the same month established flat 70 as a space to facilitate exchange between the emerging and existing community. We see anyone willing to put in the work to support our project as family and together, we can make a new home that celebrates arts & culture.”