The World Reimagined -- a national public art project in the UK explores both the history & legacy of the transatlantic trade of enslaved Africans; and presents a forward-looking approach to addressing this painful history as a necessary element toward solidarity, greater inclusion, and racial justice.
Let Us Not Forget by Kione Grandison: "Mama Africa' represents the common ancestor of all people of African descent. I wanted to depict her as a warming presence, adorned with jewels, beadwork, scarification markings, and an afro comb placed within her hair. She represents the rich culture and spirit of Africa, which was disregarded and somewhat forgotten through the forced displacement and enslavement of generations of African people." (Quote excerpted the Artist Statement. Read more at The World Reimagined)
Uncertain Voyage by Nadia Akingbule: "Nadia’s design responds to the theme ‘A Complex Triangle’, which explores the complexity of Britain’s relationship with Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean across generations, and the legacy of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans on the UK’s role and reputation in the world." (Quote excerpted from The World Reimagined; read more.
Celebrating Toussaint by Deanna Tyson, "My globe tells the story of Haiti’s fight for freedom under Toussaint’s selfless leadership, and his generosity of spirit in contrast with the greed and acquisitiveness of those world powers who sought to profit from the triangular trade in people and commodities." (Quote excerpted the Artist Statement. Read more at The World Reimagined)
Movers of the Past, Shakers of Tomorrow by Natasha Muluswela, "Movers of the Past, Shakers of Tomorrow is inspired by conversations I had with community groups in the City of London. We spoke about people of colour who are working towards racial justice and shaking up the status quo in our society." (Quote excerpted the Artist Statement. Read more at The World Reimagined)
The Inner Voice Throuth Music by Serena Sussex, "Music is uplifting, an expression, an escape and it is learning. The history of black music and its contribution to British identity cannot be underestimated. Enslaved people shipped from Africa to the plantations of America and the Caribbean used traditional songs and hymns not just to raise their spirits in times of oppression and captivity, but also as warnings and even clues as to how they may escape captivity. Their masters may have taken their physical freedom but they could not take their soulful musical intelligence." (Quote excerpted the Artist Statement. Read more at The World Reimagined)
Temples for Tomorrow by Vashti Harrison, "We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves.” In this his essay The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain, American writer and poet Langston Hughes makes the case for the celebrating blackness...The theme “and still we rise” recognizes those who resisted, rose above and succeeded. Many of the artists of this period fit that category as the act of being an artist itself is an act of resistance - especially considering the times marked by Jim Crow, World War, Great Migration and Great Depression. Still though we can look to the art, the motifs and the themes for hope. Hope for ourselves and hope for our future." Quote excerpted the Artist Statement. Read more at The World Reimagined)
Shine Bright by Geoffrey Chambers, "Shine Bright inverts our gaze to evoke an uninhabited space in our imagination. Here, down is up, west is east. A new perspective, a dislocated world view for Africa and the Atlantic, familiar yet not so. We know this place, but in this altered globe there is a shift in relations, a rubbing against the nominative imposition of our identities, our cultures, our texts, our histories, our nations and our attachment to them." Quote excerpted the Artist Statement. Read more at The World Reimagined)
Excerpt from Artist's Statement:
"A map that charts this triangular route, indicating the channels for the colonial trade in enslaved Africans, critically reflects the history that connects the African continent to the western world. However, by labelling the former trade routes with the names of African cultural practitioners and pioneers, historical and contemporary, it reverses the phenomenon of Western Enlightenment. African brilliance and intellectualism, formerly patronised and suppressed under colonial rule, is highlighted and celebrated." Read full statement:
Enjoy a selection of music from artists highlighted on Shonibare's globe sculpture.
VISIT THE WORLD REIMAGINED FOR MORE INFORMATION.
LISTEN TO THE WORLD REIMAGINED PODCAST EPISODE WITH ASHLEY SHAW SCOTT ADJAYE
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