Art for Guernsey focuses on life of 18th century African writer and abolitionist

Friday 24 January 2025

A new exhibition will focus on the life and work of Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa, whose story is a significant testament to the experiences of enslaved Africans.

He spent time in Guernsey on two separate occasions. The first was in 1755 when as a young boy he was owned by Michael Pascal, the captain of the merchant ship Industrious Bee.

In 1789 Equiano bought his freedom, and wrote his book titled 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or, Gustavus Vassa, The African', which went on to become a best seller. It went through 15 editions between 1789 and 1837.

His impact on human rights was immediate, with his book potentially playing a part in the changing attitudes, and the freeing of slaves. 

Now, Art for Guernsey is focusing on the man through the works of two modern day artists.

Uthman Wahaab is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works between Lagos, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Uthman has an overarching interest in social phenomena, and is keenly critical of the impact of technology on shifting cultural structures and the complex conundrum of navigating traditional values and social economic progress.

Mr Wahaab said: “I consider this exhibition as a sequel to my existing body of work, ‘Victorian Lagos’, in reverse as it happens to depict the era before the one in that series. And it’s so exciting for me to embark on this project in phases with Art for Guernsey.”

There will also be displays from Paul Frank, a dentist who has worked in Guernsey for 30 years, having previously lived in the UK and Australia.

Mr Frank has been a keen photographer for 40 years, and has documented his trips to Africa with SmileStar, a dental charity operating in many African countries.

“Africa is such a diverse continent, in its landscapes, its people and its wildlife," he said. "This makes it a photographer’s dream, with so many photos waiting to be captured. I have visited just five of Africa’s countries, four with the dental charity SmileStar, and enjoyed recording the beauty, the people and the amazing wildlife.”

The exhibit opens on 31 January with a private showing the night before. It’s open to anyone at Art For Guernsey’s gallery on Mansell Street. 

Jock Pettitt, the Curation Director of Art for Guernsey, said; “We are delighted to be bringing these artists and their artworks together, and we cannot wait to share these with the Guernsey public, embarking on a longer journey towards a second instalment of the exhibition, and I like to think Equiano himself would have been very proud to have been represented in this way."

You can find out more on the Art for Guernsey website HERE.