Costume design, production, events, textile and visual arts within dance, carnival, light nights , outdoor events, film and theatre to create striking visuals for a wide range of projects.
One of the main focuses is sustainability and how to reduce the impact on our planet by up-cycling, re-using, utilising environmental materials and employing green practices where possible.
ABOUT:
-At 19 in 1996 Rhian Kempadoo-Millar had the idea for Mango Creative Arts when she was was an apprentice on the team creating masquerade costumes with Peter Minshall for Trinidad Carnival.
Feeling inspired she returned to the UK to study Theatre & Costume Design at Central St Martins School of Art, London.
-Mango’s first theatre commission was to create costumes and set for the Derek Walcott Trinidad Theatre Workshops Caribbean adaptation of Shakespeares 12th Night.
-London in 2001 Rhian was employed as the lead costume designer for Sony Entertainment Europe on ‘The Getaway’ which was a totally new experience in working in the digital arts and the games industry. It was a fascinating blend of film production and video games. The game went on to win a BAFTA for best selling game 2001.
In 2001, 2003 and 2007 Rhian worked on the Carnival Messiah costume team in Leeds - a spectacular theatre show with over 250 costumes created and directed by Geraldine Connor and designed by Clary Salandy of Mahogany Arts, London.
After becoming a Mum to 2 amazing boys in 2001 and 2003 the long hours of the games and theatre industry no longer suited the family so returned to Mango Arts an arts collective of freelance artists, many also new mums, delivering carnival, dance and arts workshops in the Yorkshire region.
For nearly 25 years Mango Arts have worked with the incredible RJC Dance to create troupes fusing dynamic choreography & sustainable carnival designs. They bring Caribbean history, heritage, politics and sustainability to the streets of Carnival and wider events. Some of the themes included ‘ Roots & Respect’ ‘Aya’ ‘Rise’ ‘Nu Blu Boys’ ‘‘Mas Movement’ ‘Tighten Yuh Belt’,North It Up, ‘Dance Warriors’ ,‘Re-Use, Recycle, Re-Claim, Nature-Beat, AZUL and Banyan ‘
-In 2009 returned to Leeds College of Art to study part-time Millinery HNC as was always fascinated by hat and headpiece making techniques. Kempadoo Millar Headwear was formed in 2010 and Rhian has been designer and director creating vibrant ethical flat caps which are manufactured in Yorkshire,UK.
You can see more at www.kempadoo.com
-In 2020 Rhian received an Arts Council R & D grant to explore the idea of ‘Carnival to Canvas’ taking the costume and carnival work of Mango Arts into original art pieces and prints.
During the 2 year Covid 19 crisis she took time to draw, paint and sculpt again -exploring freedom of her carnival experience and creating an expression of movement at a time we have had our freedoms totally restricted.
In 2023 Rhian had her first solo exhibition ‘Dança e Luta’ as part of the Women in Carnival Conference in Leeds, UK in August 2022, in 8100 Loule and at Andre Pillarte, Tavira.
In April 2023 Mango Arts was commissioned by East Street Arts to deliver a large-scale mural in Chapeltown Leeds bringing together the heritage of Leeds West Indian Carnival and creating a tribute to 56 years of carnival in Leeds, working with local community groups and artists.
Mango Arts are currently delivering a Sustainable Carnival Arts programme promoting themes such as climate change and environmental awareness with the local community and young people in UK and Portugal. Banyan will form the final part of the 3 year trilogy exploring more ecological ways of creating carnival costumes and events.
Please do contact Rhian at:
rhian@kempadoo.com if you would like to talk about any future project ideas.
