I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: Emmanuel Awuni’s Solo Exhibition at Copperfield

Emmanuel Awuni has titled his solo show with Copperfield after Maya Angelou’s autobiography, ‘I know why the caged bird sings.’

Like Angelou, Awuni is a poet. His first notes on the exhibition are in the form of lyrics or poetry. Angelou was known for her resistance and her realisation of self through expression. Inspired by the title of Angelou’s book and the poet’s work, Awuni’s exhibition will extend it to explore culture, objects, music, people, and heritage. While sound and music are central to his art, he believes that any repressed or muffled emotion, no matter the medium ‘sings’ against the bars when undefeated. In these works, colour has its own symbolism and Awuni unpacks this through poetry.