The Impact of Baldwin’s Artistry on Artists and Writers
A discussion exploring James Baldwin's impact on artists and writers, chaired by Douglas Field. The video includes presentations from artist Topher Campbell, founder of rukus! Federation archive and artist Lydia Julien, who works as an archivist at Hackney archives. It features contributions from writer and photographer Johny Pitts and writer, scholar and literary activist, Kadija George Sesay.
Performance & Poetry Reading: Sea Sharp, Burt Caesar, Neil Charles & Cleveland Watkiss
Audio recording of poet Sea Sharp reading Baldwin's 1942 poem, Black Girl Shouting, followed by actor Burt Caesar reading a passage from Baldwin's 1964 play, Blues for Mister Charlie, accompanied by musicians Neil Charles and Cleveland Watkiss. This is followed by a performance of Charles' composition, Dark Days, inspired by Baldwin's work. This performance took place on Saturday 22nd of March, 2025, as part of the 'Baldwin and Britain' project. For full biographies of all the performers please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCYih_8Kgk
Baldwin and Film: Rob Waters and Campbell X on Sir Horace Ové's 1968 film Baldwin's N*****
A discussion between film/TV/theatre writer/director Campbell X and academic Rob Waters on Sir Horace Ové's landmark documentary of James Baldwin speaking at the West Indian Student's Centre, London, in February 1968.
James Campbell: James Baldwin in Britain in Ten Objects
A talk by James Campbell author of, Talking at the Gates: A Life of James Baldwin, first published by Faber in 1991 and reissued by Polygon in 2021. The talk explores Campbell's encounters with the American writer through ten 'objects'. It includes Campbell's reflections on commissioning Baldwin to write for the journal he edited, New Edinburgh Review, in 1979. It also recounts his memories of interviewing Baldwin at the Edinburgh Book Festival in 1985. For James Campbell's biography please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9KhKcQn8g8
James Baldwin and Political Activism
Recording of the opening panel discussion for the 'James Baldwin and Britain' Symposium. This panel, chaired by Rob Waters, explored Baldwin's political and cultural influence in Britain. It included reflections from the pioneering publisher Margaret Busby, the editor and activist Leila Hassan Howe, who spoke about receiving a telegram from Baldwin as a young woman in the 1960s, and of later organising a memorial for the writer in Brixton in 1988. The panel opened with reflections from the writer, editor and historian, Bill Schwarz. For biographies of each of the speakers please go to: youtube.com/watch?v=O9qbtTl7U04&feature=youtu.be
Baldwin and Theatre
Professor Deirdre Osborne and actor, director and producer Anton Phillips discuss his production and direction of James Baldwin's play, The Amen Corner, at The Tricycle Theatre and the Lyric Theatre, London, in 1987. For biographies of each of the speakers please go to: youtube.com/watch?v=O9qbtTl7U04&feature=youtu.be