12/06/2026
Free Event: Titian to Ofili - The Black Presence in Western European Art
About the talk:
Marginalised by Titian, centralised by Ofili. The talk explores the presence of Black people in Western European artâfrom being cast as servants, symbols, or curiosities to becoming central, creative figures in their own right. It looks at how artists have represented Black figures across the centuries, and how todayâs audiences are reconsidering what these images mean. Along the way, it asks important questions about whose stories are being told in art, and how those stories shape the way we see black and white identities in the Western world.
This talk is based on Michaelâs 2025 Norma Lytton Lecture at the Yale Center for British Art.
The talk will last approximately 45 minutes with an additional 15 minutes for Q&A.
A signed copy of Michael's recent book âWho Is John Blanke?â (RRP ÂŁ35) is also available (free of charge) as a prize for a free raffle at the talk.
John Blanke book
About the speaker:
Michael Ohajuru is an art historian and a popular and engaging speaker. He has given talks at major galleries, including the National Gallery, Tate Britain, Victoria & Albert Museum, Metropolitan Museum NY and the Yale Center for British Art, and featured in TV programs on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and holds an honorary doctorate from the Open University for his services to art history.
about.me/michaelohajuru
Event organised by Stockport Art Guild
Refreshments will be available.
Free entry, booking essential.
You can reserve up to 2 tickets per booking.
Book here: https://www.stockportartguild.com/sagevents
Instagram: booking link in bio
Date: Sunday 5th July from 2pm to 3pm
Time: Arrive 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start.
Event finishes approximately at 3.00pm including a 15 minute Q&A.
Location: Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 8AB.
Wheelchair access available.
Lift.
Photo credit: Michael Ohajuru (Facebook)
