Joy, Russie and Glodi – Three young artists from Clevedon Mansions

Joy Yamusangie Miessi and their sister Russie Miessi, have lived in Clevedon Mansions for most of their lives.   Their brother Glodi, a photographer, has only just moved out. 

Three siblings, all under 30, all of them grew up on the estate:  Glodi is a photographer, Joy is a painter-illustrator and Russie, the youngest, is a freelance hairstylist who creates works of art in hair for fashion shoots, films and music videos. 

Joy and Russie:  “Our parents wanted us to go into academic subjects and fields such as medicine and law.  We took part in tennis lessons here on the estate. The hope for a while is that we could be the next Serena and Venus! But we weren’t very good and took more interest in creative subjects. “ 

Joy – “even in primary school I was always drawing.  I went to sixth form locally. That was really fundamental to me.  I had four really supportive art teachers.  Anything I wanted to do, or any materials I was curious about, they were able to guide and encourage my creativity.  I became a full-time artist about three years ago. After assisting a few artists, and I thought ‘I could try to do this for myself, so I got a studio and have been freelancing since’

Russie – “anything we could put our hands on we made into something.  We took cardboard boxes and made skateboards out of them.” 

In January 2020, Joy and their friend, photographer Ronan Mckenzie collaborated on a film   -  Joy suggested they take a look at the story of Mami Wata, an old ancestral myth rooted in traditions of the African diaspora.  (Joy’s parents come from Congo) It became a point of entry for this film, supported by Gucci.  WATA, Joy explains, is centred on "the stories that we have heard and how those stories directly reflect us and our lives, as people and as artists…“they are us accepting these histories and using them as a means for connecting with each other. [It is] a celebration and appreciation of our rich culture and African heritage, our freedom of experimentation, our lives in London.” (Garage Magazine)

Russie:  “I had worked with the film’s producer before on a Nena Cherry video and a Skepta video.  I was supposed to assist.  I didn’t know it was Joy’s film.”

Joy:  “The senior hairstylist was running late so Russie ended up being the hairstylist and along with another hairstylist, Shamara Roper.   We wanted really long braids, partings and knots and we needed it super quick. The hairstylists were integral to the project.” 

Joy : ”My work is predominately illustration. My last exhibition was called Blue Glass Fortunes.  A series of dreams and ideas of what the future will be.  This was displayed at Beers Gallery (in Shoreditch) and included a range of mixed media pieces  - canvas, paperwork etc. “

Joy always puts together a playlist to go with their exhibitions, so we asked her to suggest a track for her work as a whole: Phil Stroud –Flow

Russie:  “A personal favourite music video I worked on was for Sega Bodega. I had to make 2-metre braids to the floor.  It was really dramatic.  It’s one piece that I absolutely loved doing it.   One track to go with my work:  Simply Put. – Chromonicci”

In 2018, Joy put on an exhibition at the 198 gallery called ‘Do you Know Your Middle?”. The name comes from something that their mother would say to both Joy and Russie when she braided their hair, that they needed to know where their middle parting is, but it means more:  “in her eyes, everyone needs to know where your middle, where your centre point is and knowing when things aren’t aligned. It kind of became the metaphor for the exhibition, knowing who you are, keeping true to yourself throughout it all” .

For all of Joy’s exhibitions, Joy creates a playlist. But for this one, it was their mum Brigitte’s choice.  She has great taste in music too.