Words Matter: Public Art Programme

UCL’s Public Art and Cultural & Community Engagement team are piloting a project as part of the 'Prejudice in Power' programme to explore the role of arts-based methods in responding to UCL’s historic role in eugenics.

The Words Matter public art programme is considering how arts-based methods can include the voices and experiences of those marginalised by the impact of the legacy of eugenics and make these discussions and explorations accessible to a wider audience.

We have partnered with arts organisations who have helped identify and support spoken and written word artists over a 4-month period to take part in this programme. The recruited artists took part in four knowledge exchange workshops to meet each other, to connect, explore and interrogate spurious and discriminative notions of ‘normality’ and ‘superiority’ and to look into ideas of hope and reparative healing.

Each artist was invited to make work or explore ideas responding to their experience and shared their initial ideas or process at a 'work-in-progress' event in Summer 2024. The works included film, poetry, music and performance art. This continuing body of work, currently being developed by the artists, is part of a wider programme of activity at UCL in relation to the 'Prejudice in Power' programme.

Words Matter Exhibition

20 November 2025–25 February 2026, 10:00 am–6:00 pm
First Floor Galleries, Marshgate Building
7 Sidings Street, London E202AE

Expect photography, film, and a soundscape celebrating joy and resilience. From a fictional wellness retreat inviting visitors to unmask to an audio drama exploring the future of education around eugenics, the works draw not only on the past but also on the future and they invite you to do the same.

Find out more about the event and book your place

Sharing event - summer 2024

Tarik Elmoutawakil introduces the artists from Brownton Abbey at the sharing event.

Artists from CRIPtic Arts. Simi Roach, Freddie Meyers, Rachel Gadsen and Miss Jacqui.

Artist Rachel Gadsen performs her ‘work-in-progess’ at the words matter sharing event.

Artist Simi Roach performs ‘Gods box of broken toys’ at the Words Matter sharing event.

Nayana Brathwaite, Angelo Disons and Malaika Kamure of UD Music introduce their film work at the Words Matter sharing event.

Danny Bailey of The New Black Film Collective talks through his creative process at the Words Matter sharing event.

Liam Spencer ‘Annotate’ performs a poetry piece at the Words Matter sharing event.

Project partners

The arts organisations we have partnered with are:

Brownton Abbey

Brownton Abbey is the afrofuturistic, space-church themed performance party that centres, celebrates and elevates disabled people queer people of colour. Brownton Abbey was conceived though conversations between lead artist Tarik Elmoutawakil, and a constellation of queer Black and brown disabled creatives and activists. They recognised the trials and tribulations of having marginalised identities on the stage and in the audience – being too queer for one place and not white enough for another or too disabled for them all, and the pitfalls of performing with all of these marginalisations combined.

CRIPtic Arts

CRIPtic Arts exists to ignite disabled excellence across the arts. They provide active disabled leadership which advances world-class arts work with disabled creatives. From high-quality community activities to showcasing breakthrough performers they are blazing a revolution in accessibility. They are committed to supporting artists facing the highest barriers to opportunities, and/or whose access requirements are less likely to be met by other organisations.

The New Black Film Collective

The New Black Film Collective (TNBFC) exists to create and cultivate a vibrant Black ecosystem in the UK screen industries by championing Black-led film production, distribution, exhibition and preserving Black filmmaking and television. They partner with allies and progressive organisations to ensure opportunities for Black creatives are available, accessible and equitable.

UD Music

UD is a London-based music organisation bringing communities together around Black music and Black music culture. With over 20 years of experience in nurturing and supporting Black and culturally diverse artists when they need it most, UD acts as a bridge between burgeoning talent and the music industry. UD works for a world where young people who make and love Black Music, are recognised as equal to any excellent creative individuals, and are celebrated and supported as such.