Art gallery to host Black history exhibition

The Birmingham Contemporary Art Gallery (BCAG) will be hosting an exhibition highlighting and celebrating Black history. 

The Black Artists for Black History Exhibition will open, on 2 October, with a performance art installation in remembrance of those which suffered from the transatlantic slave trade.

The transatlantic slave trade started 500 years ago this year.

The BCAG say that the exhibition and performance will highlight and promote Black success, Black talents, Black voices, Black art and Black history.

The performance art installation involves a 14 feet wooden boat that would have been used in the transportation of the slaves to the mother ships before the transatlantic journey.

The boat will sit on top of 400 kilos of brown sugar symbolising the reason for the transatlantic slave trade. This will be placed in the middle of the gallery. There will also be samples of some of the instruments used to restrict, subdue and punish or put down rebellious captives. These include shackles, chains, neck restraints and cat-o’-nine-tail whips.

The installation will be opened to the beating of the Congo Drum and then to the Acapella version of “Amazing Grace” arranged by Matt Nickle Music. Five to ten individuals dressed in black will slowly walk toward, then stand inside the boat. They will perform a dance before stooping down demonstrating grief and sorrow.

The exhibition will be open to visitors throughout October. 

Pictured: Some of artists and producers involved in the production