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 17 I was working as an apprentice on the team for international designer Peter Minshall on his Song of the Earth Trinidad & Tobago Carnival presentation and fell in love with masquerade.
Feeling inspired I returned to the UK to study a Theatre Design BA at Central St Martins School of Art, London.
-My first official theatre commission was to create costumes and set for the Derek Walcott Trinidad Theatre Workshops Caribbean adaptation of Shakespeares 12th Night.
In 2001 I 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 I 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 formed 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 ‘
- During this time I studied a part-time Millinery HNC as was always fascinated by hat and headpiece making techniques. Kempadoo Millar Headwear was formed in 2013 creating vibrant ethical flat caps which are manufactured in Yorkshire,UK.
You can see more at www.kempadoo.com
My first solo exhibition ‘Dança e Luta’ formed part of the Women in Carnival Conference in Leeds, UK in August 2022, in 8100 Loule and at Andre Pillarte, Tavira.
In April 2023 I 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.
From 2024- 2025 I worked for Arts Council England as a Visual Arts Relationship Manager in the North of England, managing National Portfolio Organisations such as The Hepworth and Yorkshire Contemporary, assessed NLPG and DYCP applications, sat on the Diversity Task Group panel and supported artists applying for funding with ACE.
Rhian and the Mango Arts collective 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 2023 we created Natro-Beat, 2024 Azul and in 2025 Banyan which explored more ecological ways of creating carnival costumes and events. All 3 bands won ‘Band of the Year’ for their visual impact and environmental innovation. In 2026 this work will continue with a series of resources, a global report about sustainability in carnival and a symposium held in Oct.
Please do contact me at:
rhian@kempadoo.com if you would like to talk about any future project ideas.
