African artist Taslim Martin is to unveil a poignant sculpture 'Blue Earth 1807-2007' to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Parliamentary Abolition of Transatlantic Slavery. From Thursday 25th October 2007 at the Horniman Museum, Blue Earth will be a major new permanent addition to the museum's African Worlds Gallery measuring some 1.2 metres in diameter.
Ahead of this, there will be a number of other commemorative events including free music in September and a series of 'Thursday Lates' featuring; an artist's discussion, lecture and debate on the subject of slavery .
Taslim Martin trained at the Royal College of Art and was among a number of artists invited to tender for the Horniman's Bicentenary commission. Born in Britain in 1962, Taslim's mother hails from St. Lucia while his father is from Nigeria and of the Yoruba tradition. Talking about his ethnicity Taslim said: "I first seriously considered the notion of cultural identity within my work 'Africa 95' and the Royal Academy Show 'Africa: The Art of a Continent'… I happily describe myself as an African artist."
Blue Earth is a large metal globe made of steel. The globe charts on its surface, in etched detail, some of the transatlantic slave trade routes from the major British ports of Liverpool, London and Bristol to West Africa as well as some of the destination ports in North America, the Caribbean and South America. Visitors may engage with Blue Earth by spinning it to view the slave routes across the world.
Offering museum rationale for the commission, Hassan Arero, the Horniman's Keeper of Anthropology explained: "Taslim's installation will build on several pieces of contemporary African art displayed in our African Worlds Gallery which opened in 1999 as Britain's first gallery to celebrate African art. 'Blue Earth 1807-2007' is a fitting memorial to the abolition of slavery and will become a point of focus in the gallery."
Hassan Arero continued: "Through his ancestry, Taslim has a personal emotional connection to slavery. His proposal for 'Blue Earth 1807-2007' stood out because it demonstrates the impact of slavery, not just in Africa, but across the whole world." Maria Ragan, the Horniman Museum's Exhibitions Manager added: "Taslim's submission was chosen for its popular and iconic appeal. His sculptural installation really draws the audience in."
Talking about his installation and the subject of slavery generally, Taslim Martin said: "the commemorations are not just for those of African ancestry. This anniversary is not about the notion of ownership of slave history. It's about human history. I hope 'Blue Earth 1807-2007'conveys the impact the African diaspora has had across the world and helps people understand its legacy which continues to influence numerous cultures today."
Visitors may meet Taslim Martin at a special 'Artist's Discussion' on Thursday 27th September 2007 and at a Bicentenary debate which proposes the motion; 'Bicentenary 2007, What Legacy?' on Thursday 25th October 2007 - the same day that the installation is unveiled for permanent public view. Admission to the African Worlds Gallery is free. -- www.horniman.ac.uk
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