Exhibition Explores Colourism in Southampton
Posted: 28/10/2025
The Colourism exhibition, previously shown at other venues, is coming to God’s House Tower for the first time. It explores the bias that assigns value to different complexions and its impact on Black, Mixed-Race and White communities, past and present.
Once called shadism, colourism is a form of prejudice where lighter skin is often valued over darker skin, even within the same racial or ethnic group. It is a by-product of structural racism and continues to shape culture, beauty, and identity today.
This collaborative exhibition features portraits of local people captured by internationally published, Southampton-based photographer Nosa Malcolm. It invites reflection and conversation about colourism.
Dates: Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 November
Location: God’s House Tower, Southampton
Admission: Free
Special Associated Event: Talk with Don John
Limited tickets are available to join Don John, Founder of Black History Month South, for a talk on colourism. The discussion will explore its origins, social impact, and ongoing influence on culture, beauty, and identity, from historical practices like the Brown Paper Bag Test to modern pressures in media and digital technology.
Don John’s talk complements the exhibition by reflecting on local stories and the experiences of the Black community in Southampton, including insights from his 1994 film Shadism: The Politics of Complexion.
‘We hope that this exhibition will stimulate discussion on an issue that is both embarrassing and harmful and continue that conversation in safe places, that only create a greater understanding.” – Don John, Founder of Black History Month South
Date & Time: Saturday 8th October, 2pm – 4pm
Location: Crawford Room, God’s House Tower
Tickets: Limited availability, free admission
Prior to the exhibition, you can explore related Colourism exhibitions across Southampton until 31 October, also photographed by Nosa Malcolm, featuring young people and their experiences of colourism.
Locations for Colourism Exhibition in Southampton until 31 October:
- Southampton Solent University
- Southampton Central Library
- Shirley Library
- Woolston Library
- Southampton General Hospital
- MAST Mayflower Studios
- October Books
- Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
For accessibility enquiries at God’s House Tower, click here.
Colourism is a Black History Month South exhibition, in partnership with Arts Council England.