Drawing on new research, Rise Up tells the multifaceted story of the fight to end transatlantic slavery, its aftermath and ongoing legacies. Focussing on the period from 1750 to 1850, it is told through the stories of individuals and communities from across the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas through an interrogation of historic objects and artworks, in conversation with works by contemporary artists.
It highlights the often-forgotten roles played by Black Georgians and Victorians in the British abolition story and in British cultural life, with a focus on Francis Williams, Ignatius Sancho, Olaudah Equiano (aka Gustavus Vassa), Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, Ottobah Cugoano, George Bridgtower, Bill Richmond, Alexander Crummell and Ira Aldridge: all momentum-builders for change and several of whom have untold connections to the University of Cambridge. The vital roles of countless women as resistance leaders, revolutionaries and abolitionists across the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas are commemorated and celebrated including Nanny of the Maroons, Phillis Wheatley, Sanite Bélair, Marie Jeanne Lamartiniére, Mary Prince and Zilpha Elaw.
Over 100 carefully selected historic and contemporary artworks, objects, printed books and manuscripts on loan from Montreal, Ottawa, Puerto Rico, France, and the USA, alongside the University of Cambridge collections, public and private collections in the UK, are brought together to shed new light on the Age of Abolition and the ongoing legacies of enslavement. Despite the passing of almost two centuries since Britain outlawed slavery, for peoples of the global majority the struggles for autonomy, equality and social justice continue today.
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Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition
Drawing on new research, Rise Up tells the multifaceted story of the fight to end transatlantic slavery, its…
Black and Blue: The experiences of senior Black Police Officers
Organised by Wolfson’s REACH Hub, this ongoing series explores the theme of racism via different lenses. The Hierarchies…
Cambridge Connections: George Bridgetower
Join us for this lunchtime lecture and live musical performances exploring the life of George Bridgetower (1778–1860), a…
Curator Highlights Talk
Find out more about Rise Up in this introductory talk with curator Victoria Avery, our Keeper of European…
Mike and The Mechanics
Direct from the West End, The London Palladium, and the iconic Royal Albert Hall, Whitney – Queen of…
Undoing 2007; Preparing for 2038
How did transatlantic slavery end? What is our memory of how we got free—if we got free? …
Meet the Artist: Jacqueline Bishop
Join New York-based Jamaican contemporary artist, academic and award-winning writer Jacqueline Bishop as she talks about her new…
Rise Up Listening Salons
Take a deep dive into the themes of our Rise Up exhibition at our series of listening salons…