For Us by Pearl Makayi
The final commission for the Window Gallery at West Green Artist Studios is Pearl Makayi’s extraordinary film For Us which showcases and celebrates the Black community.
On approaching the window, the view is drenched in pink fabric with a single screen perfectly central. Props from the film are delicately hung, positioned as a gentle nod to how material, texture and colour are used in Pearl’s work. Passersby are invited to put headphones on and immerse themselves in the beauty and boldness of Pearl’s choreographic work.
The installation is free and available to view until Friday 27th February 2026.
For Us was originally created for Black History Month in response to the theme Reclaiming Narratives. The film celebrates Black joy, tenderness, and community, shifting the lens beyond trauma and towards love, resilience, and everyday beauty. The work combines dance, portraiture, and spoken word, and was developed collaboratively with local participants in Brighton. It was exhibited as a public-facing installation on Brighton Seafront, inviting audiences to interact with the still images and film through an accompanying online archive.
You can look through the photos HERE.
About Pearl Makayi
Pearl is a dance artist and filmmaker based in Brighton whose work celebrates identity, joy, and community through movement and visual storytelling. My artistic practice sits at the intersection of dance, film, and emotional expression, using the body as a tool for storytelling and connection.
You can follow Pearl on Instagram @pearlmakayi
Image by Ian Greenland
