As part of Black History Month 2022, John Hansard Gallery presents BLACK: The Graphic Novel.

BLACK is the autobiographical story of Tobias Taitt, a child raised in social care in 1970s and 1980s Britain. Discovering a life outside the institutions that held him, Tobias began a descent into a life of crime, while simultaneously developing a love for literature. Set in the South of England, Southampton, and the New Forest, BLACK touches on themes of class and race.

To create this graphic novel, Tobias’ brutally honest story is set to striking illustrations by Anthony Smith. Together, Tobias and Anthony worked to develop the visual world of BLACK by incorporating ephemeral products like packaging and logos to transport readers back to the 1970/80s.

The exhibition includes pages from the novel, as well as original drawings by Anthony Smith. To accompany the show, artwork from BLACK will be made into billboards across Southampton: Shirley High Street, from 26 September to 6 November, Millbrook Road, from 29 September to 9 October, Bevois Valley Road, from 10 October to 6 November 2022.

The book of BLACK will be available to purchase at John Hansard Gallery and October Books.

BLACK is curated by Don John in partnership with Black History Month South, as part of Black History Month 2022.