In Plain Sight: Transatlantic Slavery and Devon
29 March to 5 June 2022
Background
An exhibition exploring Devon’s links with centuries of trading enslaved African people across the Atlantic using objects from the museum’s collection.
Brief
Produce an engaging exhibition despite the content being predominantly text and object-light. There is challenging subject matter in the exhibition, so consider how this could make some visitors feel. Create an area for quiet contemplation away from the content. This needs to be private enough for anyone who is upset, but open enough for museum staff to see if it is occupied.
Requirements
Incorporate a timeline spanning from 1400 to 1900 into the display. There are six pull-out subject areas that should be separate from the timeline. Reflection area and a section for resources and further reading need to be created.
Approach
Read contemporary quotes from the Advisory Panel to gauge a suitable visual tone of voice. Wind the timeline around the gallery walls and place the cluster sections to surround the main focus of the display which is the Portrait of an African painting. Reflection area needs to be a space that feels comfortable and enveloping, consider curves to soften the space so it doesn’t feel like a box –create a balance between privacy and security.
Challenges
Content is predominately text – how to present this content and create areas of interest to attract visitors, most of the events on the timeline take place in a 100 year span, some parts of the timeline will be more sparse. There is a lot of video content.
Solutions
I used key object, the Portrait of an African painting, as a starting point for producing the colour palette. Historical illustrations were sourced and blown up very large for each cluster segment. The centuries and half-centuries of the timeline are marked with perpendicular signs to give the display a structured, multi-layered appearance.
Outcomes
Bright, engaging and balanced display with the key object as the focal point. Clear chronological narrative.
See the gallery in 360 degrees
