The University of Exeter has received a second poignant art installation in support of a national project that is seeking to redefine how the country understands the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its lasting impact.
The striking globe, called Uncertain Voyage: A Complex Triangle, has been unveiled on the University’s Streatham campus at a special ceremony to mark the occasion, as part of its celebration of Black History Month.
The globe is among 103 to have been created for The World Reimagined, a mass participation art education project that is reflecting upon British history, and with the aim of encouraging people to take better action to make racial justice a reality. Each has been crafted by a different artist, and they are being displayed around the country in prominent locations such as the National Maritime Museum in London and at Rhodes House in Oxford. They’ve also formed trails around the cities of Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Swansea.
Uncertain Voyage: A Complex Triangle was created by Nadia Akingbule, an illustrator from London, who works predominantly with themes relating to minority representation and activism. Alongside colourful editorial illustration, she specialises in portraiture, often referencing her experience as a person of dual heritage in her practice.
“The design on this globe explores an aspect of 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,” says Nadia. “Featured in the design are a man and woman who have arrived in Britain from the Caribbean, with the HMT Empire Windrush also visible, the ship that carried passengers on a voyage from Jamaica to London in 1948.”
The globe has been placed outside the University’s Queen’s Building and will be used as a location for outdoors cultural and educational events and activities. It is the second to have been gifted to the University, following the installation on the Penryn campus this summer of A Dark Cloud, created by Manchester-based artist Caroline Daly.
At a ceremony last week, the new globe was formally unveiled by Professor Rajani Naidoo, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for People and Culture at the University.
“The University is honoured to have been entrusted with not one, but two of these beautiful and poignant globes,” said Professor Naidoo. “With delicate brushstrokes, the artists so elegantly convey the contemporary challenge of how we as a nation must understand and learn from the historical Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans. In their portrayals of journeys and migrations, there is hope too for our futures – a hope we also draw from the collaborative nature of this project, which unites the four corners of this country, in all their diversity.”
At the unveiling of the globe, there was also a message from Dame Floella Benjamin, former Chancellor at the University, which was read to the audience by Professor Adam Watt, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Professor Watt said: “‘The day provided a shared space to reflect on issues of history and presence, identity and belonging, institutions and individuals, voice, awareness and responsibility. It’s up to us now to keep the conversations going.”
Throughout the afternoon, there was a host of supporting talks, an exhibition and cultural events, including live music from Gambian artist Suntou Susso and a screening of the short film To Whom Does This Belong?
“Art makes people’s stories tangible, and in the case of Uncertain Voyage, it reflects back both painful histories and valuable contributions by those of African and Caribbean heritage to British society,” added Sarah Campbell, Associate Director for Arts and Culture at the University. “It is an artwork that makes people stop, think, reflect and learn, hopefully making the University – as a site of stopping, thinking, reflecting and learning – an ideal new home for it.”
“I was proud and honoured to be the Chancellor of the University of Exeter for 10 years and during that time hugged thousands of diverse graduates from all over the world and told them to go out and make a difference, change the world for the better, to use the knowledge they had gained from this fine university to pave the way for others. They have the responsibility to embrace the world and differences in an all inclusive way because Exeter is a beacon to the world that leads the way for others to follow. Don’t be afraid to press the reset button and do things the ethical way with morality, integrity and honesty and be the person others can trust by the way you conduct your life.
So, this is the same message I want to pass on to you at this important launch. Exeter encapsulates the meaning of the World Re-imagined philosophy in every way. It will leave the world a better place than we found it. Play your part in this exciting adventure and as you do so remember to keep smiling, because winners smile and the results of having the World Re-imagined happening will make everyone smile, feel hopeful and happy. So, Keep smiling.”
Dame Floella Benjamin
