New city exhibition shines light on Aberdeen’s connections to slavery

‘Loved Seeds’ is a collaborative exhibition from artistic duo, ‘Eldin and Love’, commissioned by Gray’s creative unit, Look Again and the community interest charity, ‘We Are Here Scotland’, to support Black People and People of Colour (BPoC) artists in Scotland.

The exhibition, curated by Aberdeen ceramicist and Gray’s School of Art technician, Helen Love, and poet and spoken word artist, Noon Abdelrazig, forms part of Aberdeen Performing Arts, ‘Rise Up Festival’, which celebrates Black and People of Colour creatives in Aberdeen and Scotland. 

At this unique exhibition, opening on Saturday 29 April and running until 29 May, (Saturdays and Sundays 11am to 4pm), ‘Eldin & Love’ will use poetry and installations using clay, to highlight the significance of the Old Aberdeen landmark, Powis Gate, and the life of a Jamaican born slave, Quasheba and her nine children.

A live performance will take place in the basement of the Look Again Project Space on St Andrew Street, on Saturday 6 May at 2pm, during which the artistic duo will hum a Sudanese lullaby and combine clay, poetry and projection to create a family tree of the nine children of an enslaved woman from 1832 Jamaica with connections to Aberdeen.

Spoken word artist Noon Abdelrazig said: “Loved Seeds takes you back in time to explore the lives of an enslaved family in 1832 Jamaica who had connections to Aberdeen's Powis Gate. We’ve gathered information from the original registries of the time to piece together the lives of an enslaved mother and her nine children. Using poetry, song and ceramic portraits, we will celebrate motherhood and resilience, and shine a light on Aberdeen’s darks history and links to slavery.

“This BPoC commission is important to me, as I am trying to set an example to younger generations that it’s possible to take part in the art scene and make your voice and Art heard in Scotland.”

Ceramicist, Helen Love, from Gray’s School of Art, highlights how important the exhibition is. She said: "Aberdeen is multicultural and art in the city should reflect that, so opportunities like this are key. There are so many interesting stories waiting to be told. Noon deserves this opportunity and we've enjoyed our poetry and clay collaboration”.

Director for Look Again, Sally Reaper, said; “We are really excited to be showcasing ‘Loved Seeds’ as part of Aberdeen Performing Arts ‘Rise Up Festival’ to support creatives who are Black and People of Colour. As part of this project, we have worked collaboratively with the community interest charity, We Are Here Scotland and Aberdeen City Council, to address the lack of opportunities available to BPoC creatives in Aberdeen, and this partnership is one way of helping to strengthen diversity in the North East and within the creative sector. As a University we are committed to supporting an inclusive society and to enhancing the cultural development of the region and I would encourage everyone to come along to see ‘Eldin & Loves’ exhibition.”

We Are Here Scotland X Look Again projects are supported by Aberdeen City Council’s Creative Funding and RGU Art & Heritage Collections Public Art Fund.

Writer and We Are Here Scotland team member, Arusa Qureshi, will be hosting an online in conversation event with Noon and Helen on Tuesday 2nd  May at 7pm. Book your ticket at Eventbrite.