Maria Oshodi

Current Projects

Find out more about Flight Paths – touring Spring 2019, co-directed by Maria

Two crossed white canes bisect an image of the Watts towers in Los Angeles on the left, and Clapham Common tube station’s Clock tower on the right, with the title ‘A Trail of Two Cities’ in the middle of the canes.

image by Geoff Pike

Maria Oshodi is currently collaborating with Braunarts, Glen Neath and PAMELA on  her Arts Council  research and development project  inspired by the life and work of her friend and fellow Blind Black artist, Lynn Manning.
Lynn is sitting and Maria standing next to him with her arm around his shoulder, both are smiling.

Lynn and Maria.

A Trail of Two Cities’ (TO2C proposes to research and develop the urban experiences, connections and inspirations shared between two blind artists of colour: London’s Maria Oshodi and LA’s Lynn Manning.

Maria gives a presentation to Los Angeles blind students with Lynn sitting among the group

Maria gives a presentation to Los Angeles blind students with Lynn sitting among the group.

TOTC will enable initial archival research, mentored writing and technical investigation to begin; exploring how two complimentary artists can feature in a performance following their trail of two cities, reflecting plural perspectives on race, gender, disability and environment.

Lynn performs to camera in Weights holding out his white cane with one hand and gesticulating with the other.

Lynn performs to camera in Weights.

Maria stands and looks at the camera with an animated expression, joined by her black guide dog Penny

Maria, joined by her black guide dog Penny.

A trail of LA

Following months of preparation, In June 2018 Maria and Braunarts spent ten days in Los Angeles interviewing some of Lynn’s associates and filming locations throughout the city, personal to Lynn’s life.

At the bar HMS Bounty, Maria is pictured between John Freeland Jr and Bruce Lemon Jr next to Lynn’s memorial photo on the wall

At the bar HMS Bounty, Maria is pictured between John Freeland Jr and Bruce Lemon Jr next to Lynn’s memorial photo on the wall.

Maria, Gabi and Bruce Lemon Jr, current Artistic Director of WVTC.

Maria, Gabi and Bruce Lemon Jr, current Artistic Director of WVTC.

Maria, Gabi and friend of Lynn Manning’s actor Roger Guenveur Smith, meet around a table outside at the London West Hollywood Hotel

Maria, Gabi and friend of Lynn Manning’s actor Roger Guenveur Smith, meet around a table outside at the London West Hollywood Hotel.

Maria sits at a café table in Little Tokyo and talks to Dan Kwong, actor friend of Lynn’s

Maria sits at a café table in Little Tokyo and talks to Dan Kwong, actor friend of Lynn’s.

Maria in discussion in a diner with long time associate of Lynn’s John Freeland Jr

Maria in discussion in a diner with long time associate of Lynn’s John Freeland Jr.

This material will be used as a point of inspiration for Maria to track and write her own   personal creative responses and reflections, together with filming of locations throughout London that are personal to her.

Maria standing next to the very tall Melvin Johnson of Skid Row Radio

Maria standing next to Melvin Johnson of Skid Row Radio.

Maria standing in front of a tall column amidst some colourful tiles, on the site of the old Coconut Grove where Lynn first performed

On the site of the old Coconut Grove where Lynn first performed.

Glen Neath is Maria’s writing mentor and Braunarts  are producing, filming and Co-directing the project.

Maria and Terry and Gabi Braun, standing in front of the old Ambassadors hotel art Deco entrance with its clock

Maria and Terry and Gabi Braun, standing in front of the old Ambassadors Hotel/Coconut Grove.

One partner is Nick Tyler of PAMELA  who will support the project’s technical ambitions at their north London real-world-scale laboratory for assessing pedestrian movement, disability and transport.The R/D presentation will be held here in 2019.

Another partner is ARC Stockton that has offered a week residency to the team to develop creative content.

Supported by Arts Council England