This August, multidisciplinary artist, carnivalist and DJ Linett Kamala will create a brand new carnival-themed mural outside Studio West Gallery, Notting Hill ahead of the much-anticipated return of Notting Hill Carnival this summer.
In its theme, the mural will illuminate the largely unknown story of Rhaune Laslett (b. 1919), a community activist and key organizer of the first Notting Hill Festival, which later developed into the Notting Hill Carnival. Live painting will take place outside the gallery on August 24 and 25, and the mural will be on display throughout the bank holiday weekend and beyond.
Commissioned by Studio West Director Caroline Boseley, the mural will be created by Linett Kamala in collaboration with the young creatives Kamala mentors. The public artwork will celebrate the last 50 years of Notting Hill Carnival from its founding moments to its contemporary iteration paying tribute to the beloved annual event, which makes a triumphant return this year after a three-year hiatus.
Linett Kamala comments, “I hope the mural will make more people aware of local activist Rhaune Laslett. She had the vision to organize a small street party for children in the 1960s to ease racial tensions, which would later grow into what we now know as the Notting Hill Carnival. Her message of unity and community continues to this day.”
Caroline Boseley: “I wanted to highlight Rhaune Laslett as I knew very little about her connection to Carnival and when I mentioned her to the locals, few knew about her either. Its mission to celebrate community and build strong bonds between local residents by organizing a street festival reflects part of my goals for Studio West. Rhaune wanted participants to enjoy themselves, have fun and feel involved and I hope Studio West’s program gives its visitors a similar experience.
Working with the incredibly talented multidisciplinary artist and educator Linett Kamala and some of her Lin Kam Art Collective is such a privilege and I can’t wait to see the finished mural!”
Artist, educator and interdisciplinary carnivalist, Linett Kamala has a deep connection with Notting Hill Carnival spanning over 36 years. At the age of 15, she became one of the event’s first female DJs, now 37 years later she is the manager of the same static sound system she first performed at, Disya Jeneration. She is currently the board director of Notting Hill Carnival and has been called the ‘Queen of the Sound System’.
