Professor Claudia Rankine to become Visiting Professor for Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts

The Fine Art department at Chelsea College of Arts has welcomed award-winning author, poet, artist and Yale Professor Claudia Rankine once again to UAL.  

Dean of Art, Sophia Phoca first met Professor Rankine when she had travelled to London in 2018 to deliver her ‘sold-out’ TrAIN lecture. A highlight of this year’s visit  was ‘The Space of the Conversation’, her public lecture presented with the support of the Chelsea Research team.

Visiting Professorship

As Professor Claudia Rankine prepared to step up to the podium Professor David Crow, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon announced to a thrilled audience that Professor Rankine has accepted a visiting professorship, which will see her becoming a regular visitor to the Chelsea Fine Art.

“We know you’re special, they all know you’re special, and we are delighted to have you here with us,” said David Crow

Described by Sophia Phoca, Dean of Art (CCW) as “urgent” the lecture focused on black identity within the wider context of art history and in particular the understudied black female muse.  In an exploration that also referenced the work of contemporary US artist Titus Kaphar, the lecture powerfully illustrated the historical slant towards the white subject.

After the lecture, Professor Claudia Rankine was greeted by staff, students, Shades of Noir, Dr Sonia Boyce, and formally welcomed to the University by Chair of Governors, David Isaac, CBE, who is also Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and a Trustee of 14-18 Now.

Speaking about the event, Sophia Phoca said

"Last night we witnessed an explosive applause at Claudia's visiting professorial announcement. She has not only opened up a conversation about racial inequality but more significantly united us in our ambition to achieve social justice".

Claudia Rankine Prize for Fine Art

In addition to meeting and working with Chelsea Fine Art staff and students, Professor Rankine also toured the degree show and presented the inaugural Claudia Rankine Prize to graduating student Hsi-Nong Huang