Biography
ionie richards is a Black British writer, filmmaker and poet from London UK. She is also co-founder of Evewright Arts Foundation (EAF) set up in 2017 that seeks out and preserves Black British Stories through art and storytelling. In her writing and thinking; her themes have always explored the economic social and political underbelly of society speaking about the underclass, migration and giving voice to the disposed.
The artist is a Black British writer, producer, filmmaker and poet from London UK. In her writing and thinking; her themes have always explored the economic social and political underbelly of society speaking about the underclass, migration and giving voice to the disposed.
Roles:
Co-founder, Producer and Operations Director of Evewright Arts Foundation (EAF) set up in Essex (2017- Current) that seeks out and preserves Black British Stories through art and storytelling. She is Producer of Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories created by Artist EVEWRIGHT. She also worked alongside EVEWRIGHT in the production of a Caribbean Takeaway Takeover a series of art and sound installations with EAF.
Exhibitions:
Here I Stand Film written, produced and performed by Ionie Richards exhibited at New Art Exchange Nottingham 22 (May-12 Sept 2026)
Unbroken, National Maritime Museum Greenwich (Nov 2025- Feb 2026) an artistic response to the massacre of 133 enslaved African people by the crew of the British slave ship Zong in 1781. Poetry on one of 16 banners that spans Ocean Court and poetry performance included in an art installation created by artist EVEWRIGHT
Film:
Here I Stand (2023) written, narrated and performed by the artist.
The film tells her personal account of being a descendant from parents of the Windrush Generation. The work is inspired by the images of Tilbury Bridge Walkways of Memories an art and sound installation on Tilbury Bridge Essex.
Screenings & Performances
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Film screening and artist talk as part of Honouring Our Communities : Resilience & Determination hosted by Manchester Unison at the West Indian Sports & Social club, Moss Side 30th September 2026 https://www.ionierichards.com
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Here I Stand screened at Group show at NAE Nottingham 22 May-12 Sept 2026 https://nae.org.uk/event/nae-open-2026/
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Film screened at National Maritime Museum Greenwich London as part of Windrush Day commemorations 21June 2025
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The world premiere screening of Here I Stand and poetry performance at artist EVEWRIGHT’s Libation exhibition Firstsite Gallery in Colchester Essex in 8 Jul-29 Oct 2023.
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A special screening of Here I Stand at Tilbury Cruise Terminal in 2023 as part of Evewright Arts successful Belongings: Windrush 75 project in 2023.
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Poetry performances at Windrush Day event, Tilbury Terminal June 2022
Residencies:
Evewright Arts joined the National Maritime Museum’s (NMM) Practitioners-in-Residence for a 5-month residency from July–November 2025 to explore the theme of ocean justice. This innovative residency includes co-founders EVEWRIGHT, a visual artist and Ionie Richards, writer and poet. This residency, culminated with an exhibition Unbroken as part the re-opening of the museum’s central ocean court.
The Almasi League programme for emerging Black, Asian, Ethnic and Minority Writers (UK).
Previous writings appear in:
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Resilience Selected Poems published by Evewright Arts launched in 2026, see Publications
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Unbroken, Belongings 75, Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories see https://www.evewrightarts.org/shop
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IC3 the Penguin Book of New Black Writing in Britain, published by Penguin in 2000 and in reissued in 2021 to mark its 20th Anniversary
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contributor to a special issue of five dials a literary Magazine in Dec 2021, published by Hamish Hamilton. https://fivedials.com/interviews/ic3-at-20-contributors-interviews/
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Red: Contemporary Black British Poetry anthology published by Peepal Tree in 2010.
Blogs:
BHM: 26
Runnymede Trust 2021
https://www.runnymedetrust.org/blog/the-new-cross-fire-1981-a-personal-reflection
Courses:
She is a Callaloo creative writing workshop alumni held at Browns University, USA.
Qualifications: MSC, BA (hons), Advanced Diploma in Management, Prince 2 Project Management qualification. Over 25 years’ experience at a senior level successfully working in both the public and private sector in economic, social, community development and art administration. Bid writing, developing, implementing and successfully project managing art projects within Evewright Arts.
Awards: A recipient of Art Council England Developing your Creative Practice 2021.
Boards: 2021/2023 Served on Creative Estuary Commissioning Group in Essex to advise and offer strategic guidance on commissioning opportunities particularly to Black Creatives.
Website:
Social Media
X: @Ionie_Richards
Instagram: @ionie_richards