Brighton & Hove Host National Art Education Project On Slave Trade

Brighton & Hove will be one of the host cities for a ground-breaking national art education project that will work to transform people’s understanding about the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The World Reimagined will take place next year and artists are being asked to take part and propose designs for one of 10 globes that will be displayed as part of a 60 - 90-minute walking trail around the city.

Each host city will have a trail featuring 10 large globe sculptures from August to October 2022. Each globe will be decorated by commissioned artists who will express one of nine themes from the Journey of Discovery of the Transatlantic slave trade.

Turner Prize nominated artist Yinka Shonibare CBE’s original globe sculpture, The World Reimagined is the inspiration for the entire project, and his globe sculpture will be the base canvas on which commissioned artists can create their own designs. 

Principal artists designing globes for the national project include Lakwena Maciver; Zak Ové; Nicola Green; Maxim (Prodigy), Kimathi Donkor and Lina Viktor.

The project is currently running an Artists Open Call for from all backgrounds, and at any stage of their careers to submit their proposed designs. 

Once signed up, they will be able to access masterclasses and submit their designs.

Submissions close at 5pm on 31 December 2021. All entries will be considered for commission by Turner Prize winning artist Chris Ofili CBE; senior curator Renée Mussai; Chisenhale Gallery Director Zoé Whitley; and Professor Matthew Smith, Director of UCL’s Centre for the Study of Legacies of British Slavery. 

The trails will also provide a broader learning and community programme. Bursaries will be available to schools across the city and selected schools will participate in the Globe Programme for free, supported by an artist across two years, to embed arts-based learning and anti-racist practice into their teaching.

The nine themes of the Journey of Discovery are at the heart of The World Reimagined. Community co-ordinators will work with schools, community groups, sporting and cultural organisations in Brighton and Hove to co-create meaningful spaces for conversations, highlight and celebrate local stories and host activities and events around these themes. 

There will also be partnership opportunities for local and national businesses. 

Councillor Martin Osborne, co-chair of the city’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, said: 

“We are looking forward to hosting The World Reimagined; we believe it will help to amplify the powerful dialogue taking place in the city around our shared history and racial justice. 

“Arts and culture have the potential to sensitively explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade. We expect this project will deliver significant community benefit and have a lasting legacy for those who live in or visit Brighton & Hove.” 

Michelle Gayle, co-founder of The World Reimagined, said: 

“If we’re going to make racial justice a reality for all, it calls on us to courageously face our shared history with honesty, empathy and grace. If we do that, we can create a future in which everyone can say I’m seen. That’s the mission of The World Reimagined and we’re so delighted to work with the people and communities of Brighton & Hove.” 

Find out more about The World Reimagined here: https://cultureinourcity.com/support/opportunities/become-an-artist-for-the-world-reimagined-take-part-in-our-open-call/