Portrait of a Muse

Wales Bonner art directs a video portrait of King Owusu, her model and muse, embodying the spirit of her Spring/Summer 2016 “Malik” collection. Inspired by the story of Malik Ambar, a 16th-century Ethiopian slave who became a military ruler in western India, the collection’s mix of retro tailored denim, white linens and silks, and embellished velvets speaks to a history of cultural exchange between Africa and India. It is the latest chapter in Wales Bonner’s mission to show multifaceted visions of masculinity and blackness in contemporary London and beyond.