Artist Statement

Nathaniel Lloyd Richards

“You’re doing a really good ting Nay-tan.” Words from my 92 year old Jamaican grandma after I interviewed her for my visual poetry/mini documentary film based on my poem ‘Ode To Black Women’. That enduring accent still thick and intact after 62 years of living in the UK, a true reflection of my Grandmothers strength, pride and resilience. It resonates through my creative endeavours and is a trait I hope to continue to apply to the creation of my art.

My name is Nathaniel Lloyd Richards I am the only boy of five siblings, the son of two Caribbean immigrants. My father from Jamaica and my mother from the tiny country of St Kitts and Nevis. Both my parents struggled adjusting into the UK and initially were only offered manual labour jobs while experiencing extreme poverty and racism I’m sure they only told me the half of. My father is no longer with us but my mother (now retired) enjoyed a successful career as a Mental Health professional. My parent's struggle and triumph in the face of adversity, navigating a new life in the UK, I feel add depth to my narrative. Their experiences, though challenging, have contributed to the mosaic of influences that inform my art. I have embraced and woven these diverse elements into my work, creating a reflection of my heritage and the broader human experience.

I have always been inspired by my surroundings, growing up in Manchester our community was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, an inner-city mish-mash of beautiful diversity. My household however was quintessentially Caribbean. From the food to the constant sounds of reggae, dancehall and Soca to the language used, that charmingly rough patois. Our culture was imbedded into the structure of the many houses we lived in. This is most blindingly evident in my poetry. My childhood experiences not only shape how I choose to live in the world, they seep into my writing, the language, the stories, the humour. The rich tapestry of my cultural background, rooted in the Caribbean but flourishing in the diverse community of Manchester, has undeniably shaped my artistic expression.

For a long time my family have been the biggest supporters of me pursuing my creative passions and I don’t take it lightly. This is because I don’t come from a creative family, nobody in the family studied the arts or is an artist so to still have that support means everything to me even if sometimes they may not completely "get it."

Recently I was told (I hadn’t asked) that I should choose one of my talents and I was taken aback by the sentiment. I have definitely shunned this idea that we need to as artists stick to one thing we are good at. I certainly identity as a multifaceted artist— a poet, singer/songwriter, music producer, director, and curator— who demonstrates a holistic approach to creativity. The fusion of my talents reflects the dynamic and ever-changing nature of art. By refusing to adhere to the notion of specialising in one area, I am embracing the freedom to explore and express myself across various mediums. I enjoy joining my talents together to create art and just like my dear Grandma this is something I refuse to change, art is never just one thing it is ever changing. I will continue to draw inspiration from my roots, to celebrate the beauty of diversity, and let my art be a reflection of the rich tapestry of my life.