Cultures of Climate to host Town Island by local artist Benaiah Matheson
A new exhibition by Huddersfield artist Benaiah Matheson is to go on display in the University of Huddersfield’s Sovereign Design House.
Town Island, which runs from 25 January until 25 March in the converted former foundry bath house on Queen Street, explores the cultural and historical connections between Carriacou Island, Grenada, and Huddersfield, drawing on the 1950s migration of Carriacou people to the UK.
The Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design, and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield is presenting Cultures of Climate, the fourth iteration of its annual Cultures Of programme of place-based development. Running from 2025 to 2026, Cultures of Climate will feature exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops, podcasts, talks, and discussions about the climate crisis through art and creative activities, of which Town Island is the first.
Through textiles, sculpture, video, and painting, Benaiah examines themes of migration, identity, and belonging, inspired by his own family’s experience in the exhibition that was showcased for the first time at the Grenada Pavilion during the 2024 Venice Biennale.
Supported by Yorkshire Contemporary and the British Council’s Biennials Connect Grants programme, the project was developed through workshops held in Grenada and the UK. Key themes include the history of Windrush, migration, culture and recently the environmental and community devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean in 2024.
“Born and raised in Huddersfield, I maintain a deep connection to the island of Carriacou, through my heritage and culture; my work explores the dynamic interplay between Town and Island,” says Benaiah.
Benaiah Matheson
“Through this practice, I highlight the 80-year presence of the Carriacou community in Huddersfield - the largest such community in the UK, fostering pride and uncovering shared histories that form a significant part of the town's multicultural fabric and collective identity. Weaving community voices with materials has become an integral element of my practice.”
Dr Rowan Bailey, Director of the Cultures Of _ programme and Strategic Lead for Research in the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Huddersfield, added: "We are thrilled to have partnered with Yorkshire Contemporary, Huddersfield Art Gallery and Kirklees Council to feature Town Island as part of the Cultures of Climate programme at the University of Huddersfield."
Councillor Carole Pattison, Leader of Kirklees Council and Cabinet Member for Culture said: “I am thrilled that we will begin 2025 featuring a local artist as part of our 'Huddersfield Art Gallery Curates Programme.' I hope our residents take this opportunity to enjoy this remarkable exhibition and that Benaiah’s work will inspire aspiring artists in our community.”
The Town Island exhibition, featuring special events listed below, runs from Saturday 25 January 2025, until Saturday 22 March 2025. The opening hours are Monday to Wednesday: 11 am to 4 pm, and Saturday: 11 am to 4 pm at Sovereign Design House, Queen Street South Annexe, Huddersfield HD1 3DR.
Town Island Launch, with artist and co-creators – Saturday 25 January, 3pm-7pm
Town Island and Oral Histories, with artist and guests -Thursday 6 Feb, 4-6pm
Cultures of Climate Change, research programme launch – Thursday 20 Mar, 3-7pm
An audio recording of a pre-show interview with artist Benaiah Matheson can be found on the Kirklees Council website. Additionally, the interview will be featured in print in the upcoming "Cultures of" publication and exhibition catalogue, which will be released shortly.