Artist Hamza Part 1

My work has consistently addressed the hybrid aspect of our cultural identities that emerges from my own position as a Sudanese, African Arab artist living in Wales. This is translated into my artistic practise, in particular my commitment to making paintings that communicate a distinct sense of tone over the use of colour. This use of painting techniques enacts the in-between space of identity at the level of my fine art practise. By moving away from brash, distinct colours and instead placing emphasis in blending colours, thus creating in paintings a third space that is neither black or white, but rather unsettles these supposedly stable categories. I am interested in working through these questions with other people in order to produce a body of cultural knowledge that celebrates diverse and intermixed cultural heritages and identities. It is important that these ideas are given an opportunity to be explored within a creative setting because within Wales and the UK as a whole, the perpetuation of ideas of a single or pure cultural identity can fuel racism and prejudice. In a world where the reality for many people is one of migration and movement between spaces and positions � geographically, culturally and ethnically � an exhibition that celebrates this diversity in much needed. Gaining money for this project will enable new connections between people and communities in Wales, facilitate collaboration between artists and provide an important lasting document of these ideas that have a lot to offer the contemporary cultural, political and artistic landscape of the UK.