Together the artists and students have been exploring the complex and entangled history of Caribbean prisoners of war that were held at Portchester Castle during the late 18th century.
The exhibition is presented as an installation within the castle. Two wooden structures hold the students’ work on layered fabric. The layers frame the images below, allowing visitors to peer through webs of creative processes in light, shadow, rubbings and traces that echo the uncovering and rediscovery of remnants of the past. A third wooden structure presents mapping undertaken by students creating a collaborative map that emphasises the sensorial method of ‘feeling out’ and encountering a space steeped in colonial history.
Using fragments of findings and loosely basing their placement on the geography of the site itself, the students’ work reflects upon ‘traditional’, western notions of cartography, instead presenting ideas of history as ever evolving, acknowledging gaps that remain unseen, untold, and lost.
Eva and Maya said: "We invited students to bring a thoughtful approach by considering how lived experiences inform historical understanding. We wove this awareness into our ‘creative gathering processes’, making and recording traces of hidden, sensitive and untold histories held within heritage sites. We recognised that inviting students to respond to the castle with its sensitive history should be held with consideration of the ethics of creatively engaging with history through photography."
Professor Kate Astbury, whose research team has uncovered the history of the Caribbean men, women and children brought to the castle as prisoners of war, said: "I'm so pleased that we're able to showcase the work that Eva and Maya did in the two schools as an exhibition - the students got so much out of the project and their work will hopefully inspire others to look at the site with fresh eyes."
Juliette Buss, Head of Learning & Engagement at Photoworks, who led the programme delivery says: "This is an important project that has brought together artists, Historians and History and Photography teachers in school to demonstrate the power of photography to tackle complex subjects with young people in sensitive and creative ways."
Part of Freedom & Photography, a partnership between Photoworks, English Heritage and the University of Warwick funded by the British Academy, the University of Warwick and English Heritage.
The exhibition and workshops are part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 7–16 November 2024. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.
For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org