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WHAT IS HELD (BETWEEN WATERS)

Natasha Thembiso Ruwona began their research project, what is held (between waters), with Alchemy Film & Arts in November 2020.

A new moving-image exhibition resulting from their project premiered at the thirteenth edition of Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival.

The project explores and meditates on the River Teviot, Atlantic salmon and Hawick-raised Tom Jenkins (1797 – 1859), Britain’s first Black schoolteacher, towards the development of a new moving-image work.

what is held (between waters) is part of The Teviot, the Flag and the Rich, Rich Soil, Alchemy Film & Arts’ programme exploring the borders, boundaries and lines of Hawick and the Scottish Borders.

NATASHA RUWONA

Natasha Ruwona is an Afrofuturist dreamer interested in thinking from an apocalyptic perspective that considers the uses of hauntology and counter-memories in understanding contemporary Black identities. 

Natasha’s work explores Black Geographies through Scotland’s Black History using a Zimbabwean diasporic lens. 

READ MORE

Natasha has contributed to Read More, Alchemy Film & Arts’ ongoing project designed to encourage additional engagement with its projects. 

Natasha’s reading list can be found here.

PRESS

‘Combining watery imagery with musical vibrations and a ranging voiceover, the film itself is half hidden behind a draped gauze, slightly reflecting and refracting the visuals behind it. As Ruwona’s words meditate on the power of water, the exhibition creates a sensation of being pulled into the Teviot’s calming embrace.’

Read a review of Natasha’s exhibition in MAP Magazine here.