Voices from the Edge, a group of racially diverse artists based in mid and west Wales, recently participated in a project to reinterpret a touring British Museum collection with ties to slavery. The artists raised concerns about payment, representation, and emotional support during their involvement in the project.
The group, while acknowledging the importance of the work they were contributing to at Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth, highlighted the challenges they faced. Artist Déa Neile-Hopton expressed the need for a more thoughtful approach to such projects, emphasizing the importance of considering the impact on all involved.
The British Museum, in response to the feedback from the group, stated that they are gathering feedback to improve future projects. The touring exhibition, featuring objects collected by Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and naturalist with connections to slavery, sparked emotional responses from the artists.
Artist Abid Hussain, a refugee and person of color, found the experience highly emotional, expressing feelings of vulnerability and the struggle to articulate his thoughts. The group’s creative responses, including drawings, sculptures, and videos, shed light on the absence of enslaved people’s stories in the collection.
Despite the emotional toll, the artists found support within their group and from the museum’s curator, Carrie Canham. They emphasized the need for greater representation and care systems in place for projects of this nature.
Overall, the project highlighted the importance of addressing difficult historical topics with sensitivity and inclusivity. The artists’ voices and experiences serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for diversity and support in the arts and museum sectors.
