Introducing Saskia Tomkins, our first Artist in Residence!
The Mixed Museum is delighted to announce our first Artist in Residence!
Thanks to Folk Alliance International (FAI) and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), folk musician Saskia Tomkins will be taking up a digital residency with us over the next year. Saskia is the daughter of Susan, one of the approximately 2000 children who were born to Black GIs and white British women during WW2 and whose story features in our award-winning 'Brown Babies' exhibition.
About the partnership
Created to foster cultural cross-pollination, diversify audiences, and nurture artistic growth, FAI's Artist in Residence programme pairs folk musicians with institutions and community organizations through innovative partnerships. We are delighted to host Saskia at The Mixed Museum, helping FAI in their goal to examine race and equity issues in their global community through the lens of folk music.
Saskia's AIR work
For the project, Saskia is composing an instrumental piece weaving Roma, traditional fiddle, and blues elements to accompany a narrated photo/video essay exploring her family's search to find her grandfather, Calvin, a Black American G.I. forbidden to marry his white girlfriend and required to return to the US while his daughter Susan (Saskia's mother) was twice forced into an orphanage.
Saskia's piece will be presented at the 34th annual Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, held 18-22 May 2022. The video of the piece, which will also be livestreamed to virtual attendees, will be preserved and made available to view at The Mixed Museum.
Saskia's residency plans at The Mixed Museum
A discussion of Saskia and her musical and family history and journey will also be incorporated into our 'Brown Babies' exhibition, thanks to the support of ARU. We will also be working with Saskia to explore opportunities for further creative collaboration over the year.
Keep up to date with Saskia's work on our new AIR page or on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages.