Reclaiming History: Power and Visibility

14 Jun 2024 6-7.30pm

Overview

Live cello performance and discussion, reflecting on the history of the cotton trade and reclaiming black visibility.

Focused on the intricate dynamics of visibility and authority, Autograph's upcoming exhibition Talking Back to Power proposes a reclamation of black visibility. C. Rose Smith’s evocative black and white self-portraits revolve around the white cotton shirt, staged at locations affiliated with the wealth generated from cotton plantations in the Southern United States of America.

Join us in the gallery, where Smith will discuss how she uses photography to reclaim spaces that hold a history of oppression and trauma. She will be joined by multi-disciplinary artist Gary Washington, who will expand on his research into the cotton industry - and how this has influenced his music. The conversation will be chaired by researcher Serena Robinson, whose work explores the international history of the cotton trade and the British cities that profited from the exploitation of enslaved African people.

After the panel discussion Gary Washington will perform his cello piece A Story of A People Called Black in the exhibition space.

To ensure the best experience, a very limited number of tickets are available to this event. Autograph's events are popular and we recommend early booking.

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