New exhibition set to shine spotlight on Aberdeen's connections to slavery

A NEW exhibition opens tomorrow (Saturday) that aims to shine a light on Aberdeen’s connections to slavery in the 19th century.

Being held at Gray’s School of Art’s Look Again Project Space the show is part of Aberdeen Performing Arts Rise Up Festival.

Loved Seeds is a collaborative exhibition from artistic duo, Eldin and Love, commissioned by Gray’s creative unit, Look Again and the community interest charity, We Are Here Scotland, to support Black People and People of Colour (BPoC) artists in Scotland.

The exhibition is curated by Aberdeen ceramicist and Gray’s School of Art technician Helen Love and poet and spoken word artist Noon Abdelrazig.

At this unique exhibition, which runs until May 29, Eldin and Love will use poetry and installations using clay, to highlight the significance of the Old Aberdeen landmark, Powis Gate, and the life of a Jamaican born slave, Quasheba and her nine children.

A live performance will take place in the basement of the Look Again Project Space on St Andrew Street, on Saturday, May 6 at 2pm, during which the artistic duo will hum a Sudanese lullaby and combine clay, poetry and projection to create a family tree of the nine children of an enslaved woman from 1832 Jamaica with connections to Aberdeen.

Ms Abdelrazig said: “Loved Seeds takes you back in time to explore the lives of an enslaved family in 1832 Jamaica who had connections to Aberdeen's Powis Gate.

"We’ve gathered information from the original registries of the time to piece together the lives of an enslaved mother and her nine children. Using poetry, song and ceramic portraits, we will celebrate motherhood and resilience, and shine a light on Aberdeen’s darks history and links to slavery.

“This BPoC commission is important to me, as I am trying to set an example to younger generations that it’s possible to take part in the art scene and make your voice and art heard in Scotland.”

Ms Love commented: "Aberdeen is multicultural and art in the city should reflect that, so opportunities like this are key.

"There are so many interesting stories waiting to be told. Noon deserves this opportunity and we've enjoyed our poetry and clay collaboration."

Director for Look Again, Sally Reaper, added; “We are really excited to be showcasing Loved Seeds as part of Aberdeen Performing Arts Rise Up Festival to support creatives who are Black and People of Colour.

"As part of this project, we have worked collaboratively with the community interest charity, We Are Here Scotland and Aberdeen City Council, to address the lack of opportunities available to BPoC creatives in Aberdeen, and this partnership is one way of helping to strengthen diversity in the north-east and within the creative sector.

"As a university we are committed to supporting an inclusive society and to enhancing the cultural development of the region and I would encourage everyone to come along to see Eldin and Loves exhibition.”

Writer and We Are Here Scotland team member Arusa Qureshi will be hosting an online in conversation event with Ms Abdelrazig and Ms Love on Tuesday, May 2 at 7pm. Book your ticket at Eventbrite.