Michael Ohajuru, independent Art and Cultural Historian and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, presented his research into the Black Magus or Black King in Renaissance Europe in December 2021.
Ohajuru’s illustrated Q&A with Bluecoat’s Head of Programme Marie-Anne McQuay was devised in response to artist Rosa Johan Uddoh’s exploration of the Black Magus, otherwise known as Balthazar, from a white European to African king within depictions of the Nativity.
Ohajuru researches, writes and speaks on the Black presence in Renaissance Europe. Currently he is researching, developing and curating an exhibition and web site – Who is John Blanke ? The Black Trumpeter to the courts of Henry VII and VIII.
Michael Ohajuru is Senior Fellow of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies. He blogs, writes and speaks regularly on the Black presence in Renaissance Europe. Has spoken at the National Gallery, Tate Britain, British Library, National Archives and the Victoria Albert Museum. Founder of Image of the Black in London Galleries a series of gallery tours , the Project Director and Chief Evangelist of The John Blanke Project: an Art and Archive project celebrating John Blanke the Black trumpeter to courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII, co-convener of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies What’s Happening in Black British History series of workshops and founder member of the Black Presence in British Portraiture network
