Tate St Ives: Josie Ko

Josie Ko was a visiting artist in September 2025 at Tate St Ives.  She worked with members of the public and community groups to co-create sculptures.  I had not spotted this display as you walk straight past it to get to the gallery entrance and I had never noticed it when leaving the gallery before.  

This display shows one of the three blue beings that were made and inspired by Nigerian, Scottish and Cornish sea myths.  Ko specifically explores black British culture and how it is often hidden with black women particularly invisible in art historically.  These blue beings were inspired by the fir gorma which are Scottish mythical beings that some believe were actually enslaved North Africans brought to Scotland in the 9th Century by the Vikings.

I love seeing pieces like this because I like to learn something.  I also enjoy this sort of project that helps bring people in to art and makes it more accessible and fun.  The piece looks like it use papier mache and recycled materials.  This is such a great set of materials to introduce people to.

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