Rudy Kanhye: Aberdeen exhibition aims to support artists from diverse backgrounds

Visitors to a new art exhibition in Aberdeen have been enjoying a culinary treat.

‘Composition with red and yellow’ offers guests a foodie flavour of Mauritius as part of a new project to celebrate artists of colour.

Artist Rudy Kanhye’s show, inspired by his heritage, is an attempt to break down barriers.

“We are all from different countries and different backgrounds and we all have a voice,” Rudy said.

“It’s easy to have the same kind of artists showing and it’s really important to give space to everybody else. We all dine at the table, no matter who you are, we can have that conversation.”

It’s Rudy’s first solo show despite being an artist in Scotland for ten years.

‘Living in another country and being brown, it’s always difficult to find a place to exhibit and show my work.

“It’s been years and years of up and down. It’s that working-class mentality to have to work harder because we don’t come from the same background and don’t have the same opportunities and chances to succeed.”

The exhibition is part of a new initiative which hopes to address a lack of diversity in the art world.

The project, by a team from Gray’s School of Art and local charity We Are Here Scotland, was set up to celebrate and give more prominence to artists like Rudy

“I’m hoping to inspire younger generations and people in my community to keep pushing forward, to keep pushing the narrative to be seen in the wider creative system in Scotland,” said Ica Headlam, who set up We Are Here Scotland to give artists of colour a platform.

“Both organisations recognise that there still remains a need for to amplify the artistic talents that exist within the Black and PoC community.”

The organisers say by celebrating black people and people of colour artists, they hope they can create a fairer and more balanced art world.

Sally Reaper, of Look Again, said: “In some ways, we think we have come far, but actually we have still a distance to go.

“To have Rudy here representing his culture is really important. It’s important not only for the people of the city, but it’s important for the creative centre for us to be representing him.”