British Ghanaian textile and performance artist Enam Gbewonyo was invited to do a live performance at Two Temple Place - an opulent neo-Gothic mansion on Victoria Embankment in London, commissioned by and built for William Waldorf Astor, in the 1890s. Astor emigrated to England from America in 1891 as, arguably, the richest man in the world, and he spared no expense on Two Temple Place, so the building provides a vivid narrative of his life and the endeavour of the remarkable craftspeople who shaped it. Inspired by the architecture, director Freddie Leyden and Enam created a film in conversation with those surroundings. The film like Enam’s wider work explores the nuances of the Global North’s empirical history and its very direct effects on the Black British diaspora, in particular the women of this community. A timely conversation given the events of last summer (2020) which continue to call institutions and Britain’s history to question. It also provides a moment of healing for a community whose past year has endured continuous emotional triggers and physical harm.
This project was a real meeting of creative minds with Enam and Freddie collaborating on every aspect of the piece. The bespoke soundtrack was created by the South London musician and producer MRWIZE under his ‘Exporting Good’ moniker.