Everything Is Satisfactual: Sequoia Danielle Barnes

This August, as part of Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop is delighted to present Everything Is Satisfactual, a newly commissioned body of work from the artist Sequoia Danielle Barnes.

Opening Event 10 August, 6 – 8pm (with Quiet Opening 5 – 6pm)

Part of Leith Launches, free opening events all day this Saturday within Edinburgh Art Festival opening weekend.

Exhibition runs 9 August- 1 September 2024
Open Wednesday – Sunday, 11 – 5pm

Bookable Descriptive Touch Tours designed for people with visual impairment 10 August, 2pm and 14 August, 11am

Sculpture Saturdays Family Workshops 3, 10,17, 24 and 31 August, 11am – 3pm

Everything Is Satisfactual is a deconstruction of toy culture, specifically, the history of the black representation within kitsch consumption and the masking of racist propaganda under the guise of cuteness. Barnes unravels how the consumption of cuteness perpetuates and upholds forms of oppression and marginalisation specifically but not limited to racialisation, infantilism, misogyny and brutality. The sinister subliminal message underneath the soft, squishy surface of seemingly ‘innocent’ objects is explored through an Afro-surreal retelling of the Br’er Rabbit and the Tar Baby folktale, which her enslaved ancestors developed after being ripped from Africa. The installation plays with the appropriative natures of surrealism and pop art to make the ‘toys’ and the folktale come to life and expose what lies beyond the sugary sweet surface of cute things.

For this exhibition Barnes has produced a series of sculptures that hybridise the characters that appear in black North American folklore, synthesising them with the aesthetics of contemporary toy collectibles. The figures in the installation are ambiguous, layered and rich in meaning. They address, through allegory, fundamental questions about the ongoing impacts of the forces of colonialism, slavery, globalism and trade on contemporary society. Uncle Remus was right when he admonished his young listener that there is much more to these fables than “fun, fun, fun, en giggle, giggle, giggle.”

This exhibition contains imagery derived from anti-black racist tropes found in western advertising and illustrations still circulating today.

This commission has been developed and produced on site using ESW’s production facilities giving the artist the unique experience to realise their vision for the work with the support of our technical team.

This exhibition is located in the North lab, our exhibition space off ESW’s large Courtyard, which has rolling access from the cycle path, carpark and cafe areas. Read more about visiting ESW on this page and if you have any questions or would like to talk to us about access requirements, please get in touch, there is a description of the exhibition environment at the base of this page.

Everything Is Satisfactual Editions For Sale

Sequoia Danielle Barnes has produced a number of editions in ceramic and resin, of the characters that appear in the exhibition. They are available to buy here

Everything Is Satisfactual is part of our Summer Programme alongside Hybrids, an exhibition by Jan Pimblett in our street-view gallery the Hawthornvale Space, and EtchingRoom1’s mural on our Beacon Tower and part of Edinburgh Art Festival which includes 55 exhibitions and events across the city.

Image Credits:

Above, Thorn Rabbit Everything is Satisfactual, S. Barnes, 2024, courtesy the artist.

Below, Tar Babies, S. Barnes, 2024, courtesy the artist.

Dr Sequoia Danielle Barnes

Dr Sequoia Danielle Barnes an African-American artist based in Edinburgh whose work explores black radical art practice. She is a textile/mixed media artist, potter and sculptor. Her work is informed by her research-led exploration of black radical art practice, the creative practice of subverting white supremacy through the (semiotic) deconstruction of black diasporic representation and symbolisms transatlantically. Her process also centred around the importance of making, rituals, and modes of fashioning; the creation of ‘art’ as equally important as the resulting object. Based in Edinburgh since 2017, Barnes received her PhD in Design from Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh. She also holds a MA in History of Design and Material Culture from the University of Brighton, a MS in Fashion Studies with certification in museum studies from the University of Delaware, and a BA in Studio Art (ceramic sculpture) with a minor in professional writing from Spring Hill College. Her artwork has been shown in the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Fruitmarket and Tramway-Glasgow.

You can read more about Barnes’ work on their website.

Dr Sequoia Danielle Barnes is the current ESW Fellow. The Fellowship is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council Diversity and Inclusion Fund.

We are very grateful to Culture Edinburgh of City of Edinburgh Council for their support of this project.

Sculpture Saturdays, our programme for families to make together is back in August!   

Sculpture Saturdays – Toy Altar
Saturdays 3, 10,17, 24 and 31 August, 11am – 3pm
Outdoor Learning Studio  

Please visit this page to read more and if you can book ahead online it helps us to plan.

Exhibition environment, access information

Please read our Visit Us page for general access information.

Everything is Satisfactual is in the North lab which has a wide doorway and is accessed from the outside, ESW’s Courtyard. There is an accessible toilet beside near the exhibition space.

The exhibition has a floor made from artificial grass. There is a quiet ambient sound element. There is some projected moving image with no flashing.

Content notice: This exhibition contains imagery derived from anti-black racist tropes found in western advertising and illustrations still circulating today.