S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys portraits to be hosted at NDT

25 September 2021

We're thrilled to be hosting an exhibition of Kay Rufai's S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys photo portrait series throughout our public spaces this October.

The exhibition accompanies Nouveau Riche's new production FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE HUE GETS TOO HEAVY. The art work will be on display for free to visitors throughout 16 October - 06 November.

Post-show discussion and launch:

We'll be launching the installation and hosting a post-show discussion with Kay about the project and his work after the Saturday 16 October matinee performance at 3pm.

Book your tickets here.

About the S.M.I.L.E-ing boys project:

"The S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys project is research-led creative arts project which addresses the mental health needs of Black boys while challenging the negative stereotypes of this demographic in the media & in the society." - Kay Rufai

Kay Rufai’s portraits of smiling black boys were born out of an initiative that investigated the lack of mental health provisions for black teenagers.

The project was originally created as a direct response to a rise in youth stabbings which sparked a series of reactionary approaches from the government regarding tougher criminalisation of youth, more stop and search and greater police presence in minority communities.

These approaches inspired Kay to explore the often neglected public health approach, which required investigating the mental health provisions (or lack thereof) for the demographic in question – overwhelmingly black youth.

You can read more about the S.M.I.L.E-ing boys project here.

About Kay Rufai:

Kay Rufai is a Photographer, Poet, Filmmaker, Author, Mental Health researcher and founder of the internationally acclaimed S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys project. His work spans the past five years in a handful of countries including the UK, USA, Ethiopia, Bhutan, Germany, Scandinavia, Mexico, Nigeria and Colombia.

Kay is currently the first national Artist in Residence for the West Midlands police, using creative arts to build positive relationships with marginalised communities as part of Coventry City of Culture.

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