The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is proud to present Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition, an exhibition that tells the multifaceted story of the fight to end transatlantic slavery, its aftermath, and its ongoing legacies.
Focusing on the period from 1750 to 1850, the exhibition explores resistance by individuals and communities across the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas. Through historical objects and artworks in conversation with contemporary pieces, Rise Up interrogates the many forms of opposition to enslavement.
As the second in a series of exhibitions at the Fitzwilliam examining the impact of Atlantic enslavement, Rise Up builds on the 2023 exhibition Black Atlantic: Power, People, Resistance. It also sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of Black Georgians and Victorians in the British abolition movement and cultural life. Key figures such as Francis Williams, Ignatius Sancho, Olaudah Equiano, Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, and Ira Aldridge will be celebrated, alongside the vital roles of women leaders such as Nanny of the Maroons, Phillis Wheatley, Sanité Bélair, Mary Prince, and Zilpha Elaw.
The exhibition will feature over 100 carefully curated historic and contemporary artworks, objects, books, and manuscripts. Items from collections across Canada, Puerto Rico, France, and the USA, as well as the University of Cambridge and UK institutions, will illuminate the Age of Abolition. Contributions from contemporary artists like Joy Labinjo, Keith Piper, Karen McLean, and Grada Kilomba bring fresh perspectives to these narratives.
The exhibition begins with Olaudah Equiano, one of the most influential Black abolitionists of the 18th century. Equiano’s autobiography, published in 1789, was a crucial tool in the fight against slavery. The opening will showcase Joy Labinjo’s monumental painting An Eighteenth-Century Family, an imagined group portrait of Equiano and his family, who lived in nearby Soham.
The section on the ‘Africa Trade’ and Caribbean resistance examines life on plantations and the ways African and African-descended people resisted oppression. Stories of resistance—individual, collective, non-violent, and violent—are explored, alongside cultural artefacts such as a wooden Igba drum and a maiden spirit mask from Igbo traditions.
The Anti-Slave Trade Campaign in Britain highlights the contributions of Black Britons and abolitionists like Equiano and Cugoano, members of The Sons of Africa, who played a pivotal role in the abolitionist movement. Key works on display include portraits of Francis Williams, Ignatius Sancho, and Dido Elizabeth Belle. The role of Cambridge in the abolitionist movement is explored, featuring figures such as Peter Peckard, whose radicalism influenced leaders like Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce.
Stories of failed resettlement schemes, such as those of Black Loyalists transported to Nova Scotia and Black Londoners coerced into relocating to Sierra Leone, reveal the harsh realities faced by these communities and their lasting impacts.
The Haitian Revolution of 1804, as well as uprisings in British colonies like Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica, are explored through the lives of revolutionary leaders such as Toussaint L’Ouverture and Sanité Bélair. These pivotal events helped drive the movement toward the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act.
The exhibition reflects on the aftermath of abolition, highlighting the financial and social struggles faced by emancipated individuals. It also examines how the British government compensated former enslavers for their loss of ‘property,’ a debt paid off as recently as 2015. Research into the lives of Black individuals connected to Cambridge, such as George Bridgetower and Alexander Crummell, provides a poignant conclusion.
A Reflection on Legacy
Luke Syson, Director and Marlay Curator of the Fitzwilliam Museum, reflects:
“Rise Up investigates the intricate battle to abolish transatlantic slavery and examines its enduring consequences today. By spotlighting personal testimonies, the exhibition underscores the resilience of individuals and communities while encouraging a broader awareness of historical injustices. Through a combination of historical and contemporary works, we honour traditions of creative resistance, from storytelling to performance, which continue to inspire and empower future generations.”
Rise Up runs from 21 February to 1 June 2025 at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. For more information, visit www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk