Picturing Dad
BBC Arts in Motion
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Ikesha Avo’s Workshop CV & Freelance Structure
info@ikeshavo.com
www.ikeshavo.com / www.oneandwe.com
CV
My name is Ikesha Avo and I am artist currently exploring lineage, archives and the act of observation.
Within my practice I make most of my materials and also draw from life. I do occassionally use photography and film as a means to document a subject, especially when over a period of time.
Facilitating art workshops has become an increasingly significant part of my practice. I want the participants in my workshops to experience the benefits of art and also be a completed art piece through the very act of their collective participation. The unpredictability and authenticity this brings is what most excites me. I could wax lyrical about this but to put it briefly, its what compels me to explore public engagement within my art further.
Features
BBC Arts in Motion: A look behind the scenes at London’s Royal Drawing School
Education
2025 Black British Art, Black Blossoms School of Art and Culture
2024 The Drawing Year Postgraduate Programme, Royal Drawing School
2011 - 2014 BA Hons Product Design, University for the Creative Arts
2012 Exchange Programme, Eesti Kunstiakadeemia
Workshops
2025 Akwasidae Festival for Southwark Black Parents Forum
Commissioned to do a clay jewellery workshop for children’s art table at a festival.
2025 ‘Family Art Club’ and ‘Creative Painting’
Independently delivered family art workshops in a local community centre.
2025 Lead Artist for Drawing Room
Lead Artist for Family Studio at Drawing Room gallery as part of their Rock, Paper, Scissors programme.
2025 ‘Our Painted Family Story’ and ‘Drawing Mum and I’ as part of Carib Eats residency
Intergenerational art workshops independently delivered.
2025 Art Workshops for Make It Stop Campaign
Writing and delivering an art programme in a secondary school for anti-knife crime charity.
2024 PICTURING DAD Workshop
Produced and delilvered a workshop for fathers and children to paint one and another in celeration of fathers day
2024 Changing Our Hair Stories: Printmaking Workshop
Commissioned to deliver print making course for teenagers as part of hair anti-discrimination campaign.
2018 Art Group Assistant at Cubitt Gallery
Assisting an art group for elderly residents in Islington.
2009 Art Workshop Assistant at Hopetown Hostel with Mile End New Testament Church of Assisting a mural art project for hostel residents
Projects
2022 to present ONE&WE
I have always enjoyed investing in others. ONE&WE is a project I launched back in 2022 out of a desire to archive the stories of “ordinary” people doing exceptionally special things. I say ordinary because these people were not necessarily famous or seeking celebrity. Instead they were individuals doing extraordinary things that brought value to those around them which I thought was important to publicly document
The article A Mother’s Reflection: Emotionally Unavailable to Becoming Free was a breakthough piece. It was the first where one of these local pioneers as I also refer to them, published an article in their own words rather than me interview them. The process leading to this was an amazing opportunity to work with someone to tell their story on ONE&WE.
Testimonial
“At Nurture Academy CIC, we have had the pleasure of working with Ikesha on several community projects, including our impactful Hair Art initiative, which highlighted and challenged hair discrimination.
Ikesha is not only a talented and inspirational artist, but also someone with the rare ability to connect with people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. She brings an energy and creativity that makes art accessible and joyful for everyone involved.
Her work goes far beyond artistic skill — she has a unique gift for bringing people together and inspiring confidence and expression through creativity. The joy and inclusivity she brings to every project is an exceptional talent, and we are proud to have her as a collaborator and supporter of our community initiatives”
La’Vern Williams
Operations
Nurture Academy
Artist - in - Residence at Nurture Academy
Bow & Stratford, London. January 2024 - June 2024
● Proposing and delivering a programme of workshops for young people aged 8 - 18 years and families.
● Using Adobe programmes to create marketing material for print and the digital marketing campaign.
● Responding to a brief for Nurture Academy for a themed art course that suited their values.
● Working closely with Company Director/Founder and Operations Lead to develop the business plan, logistics and ensure safeguarding for the projects.
● Producing my own event Picturing Dad in which I invited fathers and children to paint each other.