This year I was very grateful to be invited back to be part of the Black Chiswick through History project for the 3rd year. This a project that is very close to my heart as I connect with project on a personal level and always learn so much.
Since the project launched in 2021 I have been involved as an artist facilitating workshops and producing the final creative output. this year was very different I stepped over to the other side and took a more strategic role as Project Advisor and Artist lead. This was a real privilege to be able the work on the the Chiswick house team, their community parters, and Historian, Nadege Forde-Videl to shape the project for 2024.
Thanks to Nadege’s amazing research this years project celebrates the lives of some of the men, women and children of African heritage associated with Chiswick House and estate in the 18th century.
We have focused on three individuals who are currently those best represented in our collection and archives – Joseph Casar, Lady Burlington’s footman & messenger – James (or Jim) Cumberlidge, who rose from pageboy to publisher – and Jean Baptiste Gilbert, the infamous Duchess Georgiana’s hairdresser. Each of these men spent several years in the households of the Burlington and Devonshire families, across their many properties in England and Ireland, though not at the same time.
Joseph, James and Jean Baptiste were well educated, highly skilled, respected and trusted members of these households who had a significant impact on both the lives of the other, better represented, residents of Chiswick House and the estate.
We collaborated with Chiswick School, Hogarth Youth Club and Start Easy girls project to explore these histories through workshops creative workshops, enabling young people to to experience the different ways we can share and celebrate these histories focusing on lives, voices and legacy
LIFE
Year 10 students at Chiswick School have produced biographies for Joseph, James and Jean Baptiste, recognising them all as inspirational figures in the history of the House & Gardens. They have also created a multi-layered Timeline to reflect how our local history is shaped by national and global events.
VOICE
Working with south London based charity Poetic Unity. young people from Hogarth Youth Club explored the voices of Joseph, James and Jean Baptist through Spoken word. Through discussions and games they considered what these men did, how they may have felt, how may they have been treated and what impact do their stories have today. The young peoples contributions have been used as inspiration by artist Ryan J Mathews-Robinson to produce a collections of emotive spoken word poems available on the houses audio guide.
LEGACY
Of the three stories one resonated the most with all was that of Jean Baptist Gilbert.
in collaboation with textile artist Jaixia Blue young girls forom the Start Easy Project have produced an emotive artwork Ancestral Strands (left) that explores the cultural exchanges of hair styles of the day, how hair reflects our personal and cultural identity whilst paying homage to Jean Baptiste’s fusion of African and European styles. Using techniques like weaving and plaiting, young people have created individual hair and textile artworks from wool, synthetic hair, wire, beads and ribbons. These have been combined by Jaixia to create an expressive sculptural piece that celebrates and honours Gilbert’s life and contributions.
This projocet was a great success and has had excellent feedback. Creatively shining the light on inspirational, aspirational stories to engage new audiences. This the the beauty of the Black Chiswick through History project. A display of these amazing creations can be found in the Link Room in Chiswick House. Entry is free to Chiswick House and English Heritage members. You can also dive a little deeper into these stories on the Chiswick House website Black Chiswick through History
I look forward to next years historical, creative learning Journey!
