Fashion & Textiles Institute hosts ‘Black cultural conversations’ guest lecture series

12 October 2021

ISMS & SKISMS Guest Lecture Series: Harris Elliot

ISMS & SKISMS: Harris Elliot

Type: Text

Category: Student stories, University news

The Fashion & Textiles Institute is hosting a specialist guest lecture series for its students. ISMS & SKISMS explores nuanced Black identities and resistance through cultural expressions.

Coinciding with Black History Month and aligning with Falmouth University’s equality, diversity and Widening Participation work, the eight-week contextual series reflects narratives and accounts of Black individual experiences from Black perspectives.

The series is presented by creative director, cultural curator, academic and second generation Black British national, Harris Elliott. Elliot invites recognised creative individuals to discuss their creative practice, while recounting thier experiences of being Black in British society. Quotes, anecdotes and elements of contemporary film, music and literature will be used to layer the conversations.

'Isms & Skisms' refers to lyrics penned in a number of Robert Nestor Marley verses, which describe an overwhelming frustration towards the constant fight against the systematic, omnipresent colonial and racist legacies experienced by Black people. Each week Harris Elliott will explore a different topic reflecting some of the nuances within Black culture and identity.

Students will develop mindful new approaches that will allow for the launch of a life-long commitment to personal responsibility as creatives, and position them as authentic, educated, active agents for change.

Head of Fashion & Textiles John Boddy says: "The series is being presented with the intention of cultivating diverse, inclusive and conscious approaches to creative practices.

"By questioning and challenging the divisive practices that are systemic within the global fashion and textile industries, students will develop mindful new approaches that will allow for the launch of a life-long commitment to personal responsibility as creatives, and position them as authentic, educated, active agents for change."