Ikon presents Hysteria, an ambitious installation by artist Maud Sulter, combining large-scale photo works, plaques and original music. Hysteria was a character created by Sulter,  a 19th century Black Woman artist inspired by Edmonia Lewis. Sulter told Hysteria’s story in images and music using large-scale photographs to depict specific moments in her travels. A soundtrack of classical jazz and opera mixed with a multitude of other sounds accompanied Hysteria on her travels to Europe from the Americas in search of fame and fortune.  This tale used 19th century imagery to suggest the strength of Black women’s creativity as a continuum from the past through to the present and projected into the future.  

Hysteria was a Brewery Arts Touring Exhibition made during Maud Sulter’s Momart Fellowship Residency at Tate Gallery, Liverpool.