Pamela Bryan of Octavia Art Gallery in New Orleans and London-based curator Julia Campbell Carter have organized "Rhythm in the Blues," a contemporary group exhibition at 14 Percy Street, London, running from May 11 to 20. The show features five international artists—Alia Ali, Aigana Gali, Azadeh Ghotbi, Naomie Kremer, and Lucille Lewin—whose works in painting, sculpture, and mixed media explore themes of memory, migration, resilience, and identity, with music serving as an atmospheric and structural influence rather than a literal subject.
The exhibition matters because it arrives at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and cultural division, offering a counterpoint through art that emphasizes connection and shared human experience. By bridging New Orleans' rich musical heritage with London's art scene, Bryan and Campbell Carter create a cross-cultural dialogue that underscores art's power to transcend borders and foster resilience, making a timely statement about unity and cultural memory.