THE EQUIANO PROJECT

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Find out more about the free exhibitions

Equiano – An Extraordinary Life

Equiano - An Exhibition of an Extraordinary Life

Please note that this exhibition has now closed

This inspiring exhibition used Equiano’s own autobiographical account ‘The Interesting Narrative’ (1789). It told the story of Equiano’s life and times, drawing together all the major themes connected to the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its abolition as well as his experiences travelling and trading around the world.

The exhibition used major national and international artworks as well as objects from Birmingham Museum’s own collections to explore the story of Equiano’s life. Multimedia interactive displays enable the visitor to explore this fascinating story in more depth. The exhibition also featured artistic responses to Equiano’s narrative created by local school and community groups in conjunction with local artists.

Although the Equiano exhibition has now closed, people interested in the life of Equiano and the issues dealt with in the show will be able to find out more with the help of the book ‘Equiano: Enslavement, Resistance and Abolition’ which includes new insights into enslavement, abolition, the role of women activists in the abolition movement and the connections between Birmingham, enslavement and abolition.

There is also an Education Pack, which is targeted at school pupils in Key Stage 3. The pack includes a series of History and Citizenship lessons and a CD with audio and visual material. This is an important resource as the topic of Equiano is to appear in the curriculum for Key Stage 3 from September 2008.

The book and the education pack are available at a reduced special price of £10.00 each or can be purchased together for the special price of £15 from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery shop, from the links on this site, or by visiting http://www.bmagshop.co.uk.

Touring Exhibitions

The touring exhibitions are a unique regional and national resource which will visit museums, community centres, churches and other venues throughout the United Kingdom. By taking the exhibitions into the community, The Equiano Project aimed to reach a wide and diverse audience. The tour commenced in August 2007 and continued to March 2008 (administered and managed by the Equiano core project team). The tour continues, but is now administered by The Equiano Society.

Grants will be available to enable host venues to develop an events and outreach programme with the support of the core project team.

If you represent a venue or institution that is interested in loaning one of the touring exhibitions please contact the team on equiano@birmingham.gov.uk or 0121 326 9570.

For details of touring exhibition venues and dates click here

‘Unshackled’
Please note that this exhibition has now closed

The result of one of The Equiano Project’s ‘Culture Clubs’, this exhibition featured the work of teenagers from the Hockley Youth Project. Working with artist Nicola Richardson, the group explored Equiano’s story and produced artworks exploring the theme of identity, both Equiano’s and their own. From these sessions the group produced a number of brightly coloured suits, inspired by the ‘freedom suit’ Equiano bought upon securing his manumission. These suits were on display at Soho House along with other artworks produced by the Hockley Youth Project.

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