‘Hawkins & Co’
Exhibition March 7 – ENDS May 5 2008
Bringing together over 70 significant works by fifteen British-based and international contemporary artists. The title refers to Elizabethan naval commander Sir John Hawkins, whose 16th century voyages to Africa and the Caribbean pioneered the British slave trade.
The fifteen artists are all known for their thoughtful and sometimes provocative work.
Every piece explores a different aspect of the culture and history of the transatlantic African-Caribbean diaspora
affected by Hawkins’ 450-year legacy.
The exhibition will make an important contribution to events in the former slave-trading port of Liverpool during the city’s year as European Capital of Culture.
Hawkins & Co is curated for Novas Arts by artist Kimathi Donkor, and the touring exhibition has been greatly expanded since its London debut in 2007.
The 8-week event will be one of the first at Liverpool’s new arts venue, the Contemporary Urban Centre. The 15,800-square-metre building is a Grade II-listed, converted warehouse close to the city centre. Hawkins & Co is sponsored by the Novas Scarman Group: all profits from works sold go to the Novas Scarman Group’s charitable activities.
THE ARTISTS (A-Z)
Kofi Achiampong
Faith Bebbington
Donna Berry
Jean-François Boclé
Marcia Brown
Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy
Paul Clarkson
Kimathi Donkor
Raimi Gbadamosi
Tam Joseph
George ‘Fowokan’ Kelly
Keith Piper
Barbara Walker
Pauline Wiggins
Jane Woolner
Image: Guineas (detail) by George ‘Fowokan’ Kelly