Linnet Panashe Rubaya
Age: 27
Location: Leeds
Education: Self-taught artist
Biography
A child of a nurse and a policeman in post-colonial Zimbabwe, Linnet is a self-taught artist born in Harare Zimbabwe and raised in London, England. She now lives and works in Leeds, England after graduating with a degree in Biomedical Science from The university of Brighton. As a child of the African Diaspora, her search for home has led her to have many connections to many cities and many stories. With contemporary influences from artists such as Nelson Makamo, Banksy and most notably Kerry James Marshall, Linnet aims is to provide a unique commentary primarily for under represented people.
Submitted work
Title: Black Boys Liberty 1
Title: Surrender
About the work
‘Black boys liberty 1’: Liberty; the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behaviour, or political views. In New York, a lady stands 46 meters tall, with a broken shackle and chain at her feet as she walks forward. And yet... what liberties do black boys in America have? This piece was a direct response to the story of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy who was shot by police whilst he was playing outside a recreation centre with a pellet gun, and later died of his wounds.
‘Surrender’: In times of unrest, the first people to be persecuted and silenced are the artists, the authors and the free thinking journalists. They have the power to speak to people’s humanity in a way that is unmatched. This piece is a commentary on pain, hope and strength black people all over the world carry. From Albania to Zimbabwe, black people can and will relate to this image but more importantly they will have a story in which they can attest to the strength of surrender. Surrender; Brave despite it, wiser because it.
