New Apparitions | Rosa-Johan Uddoh
This work is part of a series of co-commissions by performingborders and the project performance, possession + automation.
New Apparitions is Rosa-Johan Uddoh’s blog documenting a re-enchantment with the world through afro-diasporic spiritual practice, textual, and visual apparitions. For this commission, Rosa was moved to recommence a pilgrimage she started when she was 19. The photos and writing are the documentation and reflection on her journey.
Rosa says: For me, this commission is just the start of a much larger spiritual and artistic project. These are my personal reflections as I find my way into being re-enchanted by the world, through an engagement with African spirituality, guided by ‘she who whispers’. I would love any feedback on what you see here and would love to hear from anyone with similar experience and interest.
My first apparition: the prayer card of Ochun or The Virgin of Charity of Cobre, given to me by Edelmira, sitting in the palm of my hand. Photo: Rosa-Johan Uddoh 
Sharing the good news of the Black Madonna with friends and family. Photo: Rosa-Johan Uddoh 
Candles at the altar in the Cathédral de Notre Dame du Puy, featuring the Black Madonna’s image. Photo: Rosa-Johan Uddoh 
Rosa’s fellow pilgrim, Louis, with essential pilgrimage reading ‘The Cult of The Black Madonna’ by Ean Begg. Photo: Rosa-Johan Uddoh 
Black Madonna of Le Puy or Our Lady of Le Puy, Le Puy-en-Velay, France. Photo: Rosa-Johan Uddoh 
Rosa-Johan Uddoh. Photo: Louis Brown
Rosa-Johan Uddoh is an interdisciplinary artist working towards radical self-love, inspired by Black feminist practice and writing. Through performance, writing, film, and multimedia installation, she explores the effects of specific places, objects, and characters in popular culture, on self-formation. Her first book, Practice Makes Perfect, was published by Book Works and Focal Point Gallery in 2022.
This work is commissioned by performingborders and performance, possession + automation. Supported by Arts Council England, Arts and Humanities Research Council, and Necessity Fund.
Main image credits: My first apparition: the prayer card of Ochun or the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, given me by Edelmira, sitting in the palm of my hand. Photo by Rosa-Johan Uddoh (2024).
