Donald Rodney: Archive

  • Donald Bird

    Donald Rodney, X-Ray Bird, 1987, X-rays, glue and wire, The collection of Diane Symons © The Donald Rodney Estate / Photo: Frederic Griffith.

Free entry

12 Feb 2025 - 4 May 2025

Gallery 4

Monday Closed
Tuesday 11am–6pm
Wednesday 11am–6pm
Thursday 11am–9pm
Friday 11am–6pm
Saturday 11am–6pm
Sunday 11am–6pm

Access Information

Free Exhibition
Donald Rodney: Archive

This extensive display of archive materials offers a rich context for Donald Rodney’s life and work. From his early days as a student at Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham to his last solo exhibition at South London Gallery, the archive includes a range of visual elements that document the rigorous and often unconventional research methods that Rodney undertook to inform and develop his practice. It also shows how his creative process was shaped by his experience of living with sickle cell anaemia as well as his belief in collective working with colleagues and friends. The display notably includes photographic documentation of Rodney’s lost works.

About Donald Rodney

Donald Rodney (b. 1961, West Bromwich; d. 1998, London) was a British artist. He was born to Jamaican parents, and grew up in Smethwick, on the outskirts of Birmingham. He studied Art Foundation at Bournville School of Art, Birmingham (1980–81); BA Fine Art at Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham (1981–85); and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Multi-Media Fine Art at Slade School of Fine Art in London (1987). Rodney first gained visibility as a member of the BLK Art Group in the early 1980s, through a series of exhibitions titled The Pan-Afrikan Connection (1981–84). Rodney’s solo exhibitions include Reimagining Donald Rodney, Vivid Projects, Birmingham (2016); Donald Rodney – In Retrospect, iniva, London (2008); 9 Night in Eldorado, South London Gallery (1997); Cataract, Camerawork, London (1991); Critical, Rochdale Art Gallery (1990); Crisis, Chisenhale Gallery, London (1989); The First White Christmas & Other Empire Stories, Saltley Print and Media, Birmingham (1985); and The Atrocity Exhibition & Other Empire Stories, Black Art Gallery, London (1986). Rodney’s work is in the collections of Tate Gallery, London; Arts Council England; the British Council; the Government Art Collection; Museums Sheffield; the National Galleries of Wales; South London Gallery; Wolverhampton Art Gallery; and Birmingham City Art Gallery.