A diverse and inclusive art world in the making

Boldly drawn lines and vivid colours draw attention to an artwork, and when the audience engages with it, they might be able to see through the eyes of the artist and receive insight into their unique point of view. In 2022, we kept a keen eye on art verticals that amplified the voices of those who are least heard, looking beyond the bright colour palette and bold lines, paying attention to inclusion and diversity. While there is still a long way to go, in 2022, LGBTQ artists were no longer segregated into a clichéd part of the show, they were appreciated by an audience that indulges in immersive exhibitions regardless of gender or sexual preferences. We are also reminded of the Black Lives Matter movement that shook the world, and how finally artists of colour are receiving considerable attention. This year the art world demonstrated that success is not dependent on one’s gender identity, nationality, race, age, religion, socioeconomic background, or any other personal attribute. In addition, the past two years have also served as a reminder that our planet is not a human-only territory.

Focusing on the LGBTQ+ community, local artists, and the environment, 2022 was a year where contemporary artists pushed the envelope and championed inclusivity, forging a new path for the art world. As we look back at 2022, and our extensive coverage of the global art world—STIR has curated a selection of art collectives, artists and movements that celebrated diversity and inclusion.

2. ‘In the Black Fantastic’ at Hayward Gallery is UK’s first show on the work of Black artists

Location: London, United Kingdom

Installation view of Cauleen Smith's work for In the Black Fantastic at Hayward Gallery, 2022
Image: Courtesy of STIR

The Hayward Gallery organised an immersive exhibition titled In the Black Fantastic, marking the United Kingdom’s first significant art exhibition for artists of colour. The paintings and art installations on display employed magical aspects to explore alternate realms and challenge racial injustice. Curator Ekow Eshun assembled a collection of artists who inventively recycle and rearrange aspects of folklore, myth, science fiction, spiritual traditions, and legacies of Afrofuturism to display new works and unique commissions. Visual artists reimagined ways to represent the past and think about the future, whilst also engaging with the challenges and conflicts of the present.