Freedom Call - A project inspired by Sacred Space

Art Exhibition in Grand Bahama

Overview

The works of 13 Bahamian artists were featured during "Freedom Call" - a fine art exhibition which opened on November 9, 2007 in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It was held at the Gloria Banks Gallery, Rand Nature Center under the patronage of the Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation, (future museum of Grand Bahama). 

The exhibition was curated by Antonius Roberts, whose sculptures, "Sacred Ladies", were the main focal point.

Part Proceeds went to benefit the Bahamas National Trust and Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation.

"Freedom Call"

Written by Gail Saunders (Ph.D)
Director General of Heritage and Board Chair - National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

The theme of this exhibition - the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade is indeed a fitting one. The Transatlantic Slave Trade which witnessed the forced migration of millions of Africans to the Americas including The Bahamas, was made illegal in 1807 by the British Parliament. After this date no more slaves arrived from Africa on British ships but enslaved Africans were liberated by British naval patrols from foreign slave ships on their wary to territories where the slave trade was still legal.

Foreign ships, heading for Cuba particularly, were often intercepted and their captives released in Nassau by British naval ships. This maintained a steady African immigration into the Bahamas at least until 1860. The Liberated Africans were apprenticed to ‘holders’ under a scheme directed from London, England. Most Liberated Africans were settled on New Providence but it is probable that Grand Bahama had small populations of freed Africans living at Freetown, Gold Rock, West Head, South Point, High Rock and the Bight which existed in the middle of the nineteenth century. In 1834, Grand Bahama and the Berry Islands combined, had a Free Black population of 143 among a total population of 218.

The impact of the landing of about 6000 Liberated Africans in the Bahamas between 1808-1860, had a profound effect on its society and culture. The arrival of the freed Africans reinforced the Africaness in Bahamian society impacting the demographic balance in its population, its language, beliefs, deathrites, music, John Canoe, food, asue (a system of saving) and story-telling. It no doubt also influenced the visual arts.