Artist's first solo show to be held in home city

3 days ago

Eleanor LawsonWest Midlands

Shaqúelle Whyte's first solo institutional exhibition will be held in his home city of Wolverhampton

Rashidi Noah A man leans in a chair and grins while sitting in front of several large paintings. — Shaqúelle Whyte's first solo institutional exhibition will be held in his home city of Wolverhampton

A Wolverhampton-born artist is having his first solo institutional exhibition in his home city.

Shaqúelle Whyte, who was born in the city in 2000, graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2023 and has previously shown work in Hong Kong and London.

Now Wolverhampton Art Gallery is preparing to present exhibition Shattered Dreams, featuring six paintings created between 2023 and 2026. The event runs from Saturday 18 April until Monday 31 August.

Whyte said: "I'm Blakenhall born and bred and it's an honour and a privilege to bring my work back to the city. I hope that in a small way I am able to fly the flag for what the Black Country represents wherever my journey may take me."

Shaqúelle Whyte's painting Blackbirds singing in the dead of night has been acquired for Wolverhampton Art Gallery's permanent collection *(with support from Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Contemporary Art Society, City of Wolverhampton Council and Kemal and Tala Cingillioglu)*

Shaqúelle Whyte A painting showing male figures circling a blazing fire at night. — Shaqúelle Whyte's painting Blackbirds singing in the dead of night has been acquired for Wolverhampton Art Gallery's permanent collection *(with support from Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Contemporary Art Society, City of Wolverhampton Council and Kemal and Tala Cingillioglu)*

The presentation features Whyte's nocturnal painting Blackbirds Singing in the Dead of Night, painted in 2025, which has been acquired for Wolverhampton Art Gallery's permanent collection.

Another of Shaqúelle Whyte's paintings, called Rest now; in Jesus' name we pray *(courtesy Schroeder Collection)*

Shaqúelle Whyte A painting of several figures in formal clothing standing among leafy plants. — Another of Shaqúelle Whyte's paintings, called Rest now; in Jesus' name we pray *(courtesy Schroeder Collection)*

A spokesperson for the art gallery said: "Whyte's connection to Wolverhampton is deeply personal and formative.

"He has spoken about the importance of visits to Wolverhampton Art Gallery during his youth, which played a pivotal role in nurturing his creativity and introducing him to the possibilities of artistic expression.

"The acquisition of Blackbirds Singing in the Dead of Night and the exhibition Shattered Dreams celebrate this journey and reinforce the gallery's role in inspiring future generations of artists."

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