Idol
By (Author) Jamal Gerald
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Oberon Books Ltd
11th February 2020
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
Ethnic studies / Ethnicity
Social and cultural history
Theatre studies
Literary studies: plays and playwrights
Religion and beliefs
822.92
Paperback
56
Width 130mm, Height 198mm, Spine 4mm
64g
A daring and unapologetic examination of religion, pop culture and Black representation.
Who would you rather pray to Beyonc or white Jesus
Jamal grew up Catholic in a Caribbean household, but would rather light a candle and worship celebrities than white saints. Combining African diasporic ritual, music and storytelling, Idol is a spiritual journey that asks what happens when you dont see yourself represented featuring a host of celebrity appearances.
Jamal Gerald is an artist based in Leeds. His work is conversational, socially conscious, a celebration of individuality and focuses on identity and lived experiences. Jamal makes the type of work that he wants to see, with the aim of taking up space as a Black queer person. He has made work for poetry slams, films, parties, cafes and theatres. He was also a co-deviser and performer for Scottees critically acclaimed Putting Words in Your Mouth, which premiered at the Roundhouse in November 2016. In 2018, he was awarded Arts Council Englands Artists International Development Fund to do research in Trinidad and Tobago. Jamals work has also been shown at Kampnagel (Hamburg), SPILL Festival of Performance, Leeds Playhouse, Battersea Arts Centre and the Barbican.