Skin Deep:
Anthology
Details
18:30 - 22:00
Thursday 17 April 2025
FormaHQ, Peveril Garden Studios
140 Great Dover Street
London, SE1 4GW
Free entry, book now
Skin Deep makes space for Black creatives and creatives of colour to work towards justice through cultural production. Through our live events, online platform and print magazine, we build capacity for artists and activists in London and globally to think beyond crisis and survival, and dream of just futures.
Predominantly Black and POC-led, Skin Deep occupies a unique space in the media and arts landscape. We produce and curate work that centres hope, joy and lasting meaningful change. We always take the long view, tapping into deep currents that flow from generations past to worlds yet to come – both in the stories we facilitate and tell, and in the long-term relationships we build with contributors, partners and our wider community.
The Anthology will be available to purchase in Presse Books during the event, or you can order a copy now via Skin Deep's website!
Skin Deep Anthology: Reading Circle with Baby O & Friends of Azkadinya
Thursday 17 April 2025
Join us for an evening of readings and discussion guided by writings from the Skin Deep Anthology and expanded upon by Baby O & Friends of Azkadinya.
The first in a series of events by Skin Deep that will take place across various venues, the reading circle at FormaHQ will create space for discussion, reflection, and engagement on the themes and issues of Anthology. By inviting collaborators to offer interpretation and exploration of these ideas, we hope to further bring to life and expand the words and thoughts found in the pages of Anthology.
This Anthology issue of Skin Deep's print magazine marks a decade of Skin Deep’s work at the intersection of culture and racial justice by republishing the best of our back catalogue alongside bold new commissions on the theme of time, cycles, pacing, rhythm and change.
Biographies
Omar Hamaoui, also known as "Baby O," is a British-Lebanese poet, cultural curator, and events planner based in London. Growing up with dyslexia and ADHD, he found solace and expression through poetry, using it to navigate personal challenges and explore themes of love, existence, and identity. In 2019, following the Lebanese revolution, he returned to London and co-founded "Azkadinya," a cultural collective aimed at promoting cultural exchange and empowering artisans from the SWANA (South West Asian and North African) region. Hamaoui has also authored a book titled "Saved by the Pen," which delves into his personal journey and poetic explorations.
Azkadinya is a cultural collective co-founded by Omar Hamaoui, Rami El-Sabban, and Talal Soufan, dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and empowering artisans from the SWANA (South West Asian and North African) region. Through poetry, food, and music, Azkadinya creates immersive experiences that celebrate heritage and storytelling. The collective collaborates with chefs, artists, and performers to bridge cultures and preserve traditions in contemporary ways.