Spotlight.
Shona Inatimi
INTRODUCTION
Shona Inatimi explores reframing the black figure through connecting with the natural world, uncovering family history & ancestral heritage, and Igbo & ljaw folklore. Inspired by magical realism she creates portals to 'alternative" worlds, as a way to refract tenebrous struggles and global issues that suppress and minimise our experiences, whilst living in a racialised body. As a Dundee born mixed-raced artist who struggles to find belonging, Shona creates compassionate spaces to invite Black folk to share stories not only as a way to reject conforming pressures but to uplift, feel seen, inspire and provide healing.
Shona is also interested in the intersection of visual art and performance as an exploration of performativity: navigating identity while maintaining authenticity & challenging societal paradigms. Shona Inatimi is a painter, storyteller and dreamer exploring colour, light and movement. Dundee born mixed-raced artist now, currently residing in Glasgow.
In 2024-25 Shona was one of two selected artists for Dòigh Nàdair residency programme organised by Rhubaba Artist Initiative, which culminated in a sophomore solo exhibition Earthing: Through Nature Back to Ourselves (March 2025) held at Johnstone Terrace Garden, Edinburgh. In 2023 she was one of six CULTIVATE Creative Practitioners nominated by Creative Dundee. Shona's commission resulted in two portraits; a glimmer, a glimpse, a glare (2023) which formed part of the exhibition Dear Earth: Creating Hope in a Climate Crisis at Centre Space DCA Dundee, organised in partnership with fellow practitioners. In 2022 she had her debut solo exhibition where she showcased see you glow (2022) at Federation Gallery (Keiller Center Dundee). From 2016-2021 Shona studied at DJCAD (University of Dundee) graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art.
INTERVIEW
How did you get into your creative practice? What initially inspired you?
Since early childhood painting and drawing has always been part of my life. I had a tough time at school, drawing and painting became a safe space for me to escape and express myself. I was blessed that my family who saw my passion and talent for art, encouraged and supported me in pursuing my goals and dreams to go to art school and live a life as an artist. When I went to art school that’s where the real journey of my creative practice began, this was where I questioned everything!
When I graduated back in 2021 during post-lockdown, I was extremely burnt out to the point where my health deteriorated. Throughout that period of uncertainty, I still found myself grabbing a pencil or paint brush to push along paper/canvas, as if it were a lifeboat or a high force guiding me. My practice grounds me, the only thing that makes sense in a world that is mostly confusing and at times feels overwhelming.
In my recovery time, I was forced to stop, and my practice became a vital tool in healing and building my life back up again. The act of making sustains my wellbeing. Going through the daily motions of life, whether that is sharing stories with friends, going for walks in nature, the colours I see, noticing the sparks and magic of everyday life inspires my practice. Creating feels primitive - a way to come back to ourselves and share our stories.
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your creative practices?
My practice reframes the black figure through exploring the natural world, ancestral folklore & magical realism, to refract global issues and tenebrous struggles experienced whilst living in a racialised body. As a mixed-race artist struggling to find belonging, I invite folk of marginalised communities to share stories to resist conforming pressures, uplift, and provide healing. Embedded in decolonial practice and care, I explore these themes through painting, drawing and conversing through making with others. I seek to encapsulate stories through a visual language to investigate heavy themes but also provide space to imagine beyond.
What is your favourite project you’ve ever worked on and why?
The process/journey of creating Earthing through nature series signified a turning point in my life and practice. In summer 2024 I invited a couple of friends to Dundee Botanics, to connect with nature, listen to our stories and pause from our fast-past lives. This was also a time when I was taking steps to move to Glasgow. I remember it was a difficult time of knock-backs and uncertainty, but when I eventually moved, things fell into place, which affirmed my decision.
I was 1 of 2 selected for Doigh Nadar Residency programme which was organised by Rhubaba Gallery, which gave me the opportunity to delve into themes I was thinking about further with support and propelled my ideas/practice. The paintings emerged from these experiences, culminating in my first solo show in Edinburgh at Johnson Terrace Garden nature reserve. My experience with Rhubaba shows how important it is to have black creative led spaces, which can lead to growth.
I learned many lessons, overcoming challenges and maintaining my health with uncertainty but I grew as a person and reminded myself how vital it is to make pathways/ a hand in bringing ideas to life. Not only to develop my practice but to create spaces and to find your place in communities you feel safe to express and feel seen. It makes me sad and angry that it’s increasingly difficult to sustain these spaces when they are so nourishing and foundational to artists and local communities.
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into your creative practices?
Great question, I am still figuring it out!
If I imagine speaking to a younger version of myself I would advise her to pace herself. There is no rush! I remember feeling this pressure to have it all figured out, and by a certain age things would be clearer. It’s super tough what we expect from young people when support is so scarce in creative industries, everyone is still figuring it out, no matter what stage you are in your career. Its okay to slow down and pause and reflect, spend time learning about yourself and ways to look after/maintain your health. These tools are so necessary when life becomes chaotic and challenges that may arise when you are reaching your limit. Don’t go over the limit! A life-changing lesson for me was understanding my capacity and learning how to set boundaries.
Mentorship as well has really helped me build my confidence and help me see things from a different perspective. Get out of my own head. My practice as a painter is a life of solitude, and having a mentor helps me reflect on the role I play in the communities I am part of/solidarity with.
What are you currently working on?
I have a few projects on the go. I have been in a bit of a research tunnel, reading Nigerian Folklore and Celtic fairy tales. An exhibition will be coming up, keep posted, sign up to my newsletter to keep posted and/or follow on socials.
To keep grounded I have been part of a community group centred in collective care that meet online. I am helping organise a summer gathering aligned with the summer solstice, which will be coming up on the 20th June at Victoria Park, Glasgow. I intend to host a v chill painting session. There will be many amazing workshops involving yoga, rent tent, pot luck, and more.