Spirit of the Carnival offers a political commentary on the ever-increasing police presence at London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival. A solo masquerader in masked raffia costume performs at the centre of the scene, penned in on every side by an advancing line of police officers in identikit uniform. A wall of riot shields forms a circle around the masked performer, through which a snarling dog has broken through. However, rather than being intimidated, the masquerader continues their energetic dance. The dazzling colours of their costume and their outstretched hands seem to suggest a form of resistance. Some writers have read Joseph’s image as a celebration of Black cultural and political resistance and resilience. It may also serve as a commentary on the way in which Carnival – and by extension the Black community – have become associated with criminality by the mainstream media.

Tam Joseph was born in Dominica in the Caribbean. He moved to London when a child and later studied at the Central School of Art and Slade School of Art. Joseph works as a painter, sculptor and graphic designer. This print reproduces an acrylic on canvas painting made by Joseph in 1984. The print was commissioned by the Paddington Print Shop for a portfolio of prints entitled 'Jouvert' by a variety of artists to celebrate the spirit of Carnival.