PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Friday 2 May, 10.30am MacRobert Building, King’s College, University of Aberdeen
The results of a project aimed at developing a group of Aberdeen school pupils’ understanding of slavery are unveiled today (Friday 2 May).
An exhibition and book of illustrations entitled From West Africa to Old Aberdeen are the culmination of the initiative involving the University of Aberdeen's Marischal Museum, The Reading Bus and St Peter's School.
The pupils drew inspiration from literature, artefacts and objects from within the Marischal Museum for the project, which aimed to engage the children with the subject of oppression in the past and modern times.
Guests, including Lewis Macdonald MSP, will attend the official launch of the exhibition and book today, where the St Peter's School children will be on hand to explain and present their work.
From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the Triangular Trade, the pupils explored various aspects of slavery from across the globe and over several decades of history. The project, which spanned several months, included spending a day discovering the history of slave trade at the Marischal Museum and a storytelling session with the Reading Bus Team.
The children also examined artefacts that had connections with slavery such as Ashanti gold weights, African wooden figures and African jewellery, which inspired the illustrations which appear in the exhibition and book. Animations, a song and a radio show have also been produced by the children as part of the project.
Alison Parfitt Education and Access Officer, Marischal Museum, University of Aberdeen says of the initiative: "The From West Africa to Old Aberdeen project was designed to engage the children of St Peter's School with the subject of slavery and develop their understanding of the issue.
"Literature and museum objects were used to promote the children's comprehension of different aspects of slavery in both the past and modern times. They were then encouraged to articulate what they had learned in the form of illustrations and pieces of written work, which have now been captured in the form of the exhibition and book.
"Witnessing the development of the children's ideas about concepts such as respect and dignity has been extremely rewarding. The pupils' decision to dedicate this book and exhibition to those from across the world who are suffering from oppression, reflects the real connection they felt with the subject matter. It's now hoped that the public will experience this same sort of inspiration and engagement with the topic, through viewing the work the children have produced."
The From West Africa to Old Aberdeen exhibition is on display at the MacRobert Building, King's College, University of Aberdeen from today (Friday 2 May). Entry to the exhibition is free.
For further information on the exhibition contact Alison Parfitt on 01224 274305 or email href="mailto:alison.parfitt@abdn.ac.uk">alison.parfitt@abdn.ac.uk</a>