Ekow Eshun is a British-Ghanaian writer, curator and cultural commentator, widely recognised for his work exploring Black identity, diaspora and contemporary culture. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, he studied politics and history at the London School of Economics before beginning his career in journalism. In 1997, he became the first Black editor of a major UK magazine, Arena, marking a significant moment in British media history.
From 2005 to 2010, Eshun served as Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London, where he significantly increased audience engagement and championed emerging artists. He is currently Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, responsible for one of the UK’s most prominent public art initiatives in Trafalgar Square.
As a curator, Eshun has overseen several acclaimed exhibitions, including In the Black Fantastic at the Hayward Gallery and The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure at the National Portrait Gallery. His books include Black Gold of the Sun, shortlisted for the Orwell Prize, and Africa State of Mind.
His writing has appeared in leading publications such as The Guardian, Vogue and The New York Times, and he continues to influence cultural discourse through his work across the arts.
In this episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, host Pearl Lam engages in an insightful conversation with Ekow Eshun. Renowned for his compelling work on Black identity, futurism and the politics of representation, Eshun shares his reflections on the pivotal role of art in shaping narratives around race, memory and belonging.
Throughout the episode, Eshun delves into his curatorial practice, discussing the thought-provoking exhibitions he has curated and the lasting impact they have had on the art world. He offers a detailed account of his landmark shows, highlighting how they have challenged conventional perspectives and sparked vital conversations about representation and identity.
Eshun also shares his views on how artists from the African diaspora are redefining global contemporary art. He explores the innovative ways these artists are contributing to the cultural landscape, bringing new voices and perspectives that enrich and transform the world of art.
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