Artist Profile
Mickel Smithen AKA Ebony Rose Dark (‘all of the pronouns!’) is a photographer, choreographer and performance artist. Mickel studied performing arts majoring in music and dance at the Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford.
As a photographer, Mickel has exhibited in London at The Wellcome Collection and Kings College, and internationally in France and Toronto.
Their work is included in ‘The Blind Photographer’ published by Redstone Press.
In lockdown 2020 Mickel moved from London to Brighton, a vibrant creative town on the South coast of the UK.
This exodus from the metropolis is an increasingly common journey for london’s artists. A fresh start, new life, light, freedom.
You can find Ebony Rose Dark on their Instagram ebony_rose_dark
Glittery Winged
Photograph by Neo Warren.
A drag queen posing with huge blue wings and rainbow-coloured hair, with a slight mohican. Red glasses which flash, a multicoloured sequined dress, black tights, and black shoes. This is me, Ebony Rose Dark.
Dark Face Mask Campaign
Photograph by Graham Robinson
A black drag queen with massive hair, which splays out like an afro, a big red rose on the top left hand side of my forehead, which is covered in lots of gold glitter. I wear a very shiny mask. I wear a multi-coloured sequined dress, my hand on my hip, and the other hand holding a long white cane. I am facing directly at the camera.
This photo appeared on electric billboards and bus stops across Brighton & Hove, with the caption “Thank you for giving me space”, as part of the local government’s campaign for people to maintain social distance in lockdown.
Bar Wotever Residency
Photograph by Henry T Art
v1 A dancer in motion with splayed bird-like arms; this is me – I focus towards the right, and a slight tilt in the upward torso; I hold a light material, behind my back and shoulders; I wear a light flowy strappy dress, one arm raised facing the top left hand corner of the photo; my other arm points towards the LOWER right hand corner of the photo.
A dancer with splayed arms holding a large flowy cloak-like piece of material. They are wearing a light blue dress which is strappy. Their focus is towards their left arm.
Sunlit Winter Branches
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
The sun beaming through tree trunks and branches.
Tree Branch Silhouettes
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
Tree branches sticking out and a few leaves, intertwining around each other against a grey-blue sky. Spring maybe.
Norman Road
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
A sunny sky and a clear road facing the sea front.
Fumi Walking
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
A graceful figure seen from the side facing left. Black bob, glowing skin, soft white dress. The figure is seen from the waist upwards, and is positioned in the left hand side of a wide image, against a textured grey background.
Theatre of Thoughts
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
Side profile of sitting model, leaning against the glass panel of a theatre. the binding of the glass panel creates lines which stream from top to bottom of the image. The model focuses towards the left hand side of the photo.
Red Whirl
Photograph of Ebony Rose Dark by Unknown Technician at The Rose Hill
Blurry pink-red image of me performing at The Rose Hill. Knee high gold boots. The fabric of my cape twirling around me. A performer captured by their massive fan-like red wings, so you just about notice their feet.
Blue Whirl
Photograph of Ebony Rose Dark by Unknown Technician at The Rose Hill
Blue and blurry. Taken in motion, with see through cape, on stage, creating shadows behind me. Avant garde image. Smidgens of gold boots.
Dancer I
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
This blurry photo captures a dancer moving, leaning slightly towards one side.
Dancer II
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
A dancer holding a very confident balance with one leg up and two hands bent, as if holding little bells in their hands. A yoga-like pose. They are dressed in a light flowy garment with black trousers. The wall behind them is textured concrete.
Dancers
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
This photo shows two dancers in the centre of the photo, creating a pyramid like shape. The dancer on the right rests their head on the shoulder of the dancer on the left. A rose colured silk scarf forms a vertical line down the middle of the pyramid formed by their bodies. They are wearing long light dresses and dark trousers. Behind them is a textured concrete wall.
Dancer III
Photograph by Mickel AKA Ebony Rose Dark
A blurry figure seen from the front; graceful curved motion; white garment; pale skin tones; dark hair; blurred movement; the wall behind is of subdued earthy tones