Lagareh – The Last Born draws focus on anti-racist and pro-black advocacy, and Scotland’s historic connections to transatlantic slave trade. The free screening is part of a 6 venue Scottish tour & comes ahead of major solo show at National Galleries of Scotland.

University of Aberdeen (MacRobert Building) will host a special screening of internationally acclaimed Barbadian-Scottish artist Alberta Whittle’s new film, Lagareh – The Last Born, on Wednesday 25 January (18:00-20:00).

Fresh from its highly praised presentation as part of Whittle’s World Premiere exhibition of new work at the 2022 Venice Biennale – one of the world’s most prestigious visual arts festivals – the film gives primacy to the strength of contemporary Black womxn in Europe, West Africa and the Caribbean. These interconnected geographies, which formed ‘triangular route’ in the colonial era, are employed to reflect upon the traumatic legacies of chattel slavery, and its enduring impacts upon modern day policing and incarceration.

Commissioned by the Scotland+Venice partnership and Forma, LUX Scotland is touring the film to six venues across Scotland, with a programme of invited speakers at each location until March 2023, with support from Art Fund.

The Aberdeen screening will be followed by a conversation between dancer and choreographer Divine Tasinda, who features in ​‘Lagareh – The Last Born’, and curator Eoin Dara. This discussion will focus upon ​‘movement’ as an interpretive framework for discussion, to weave connections between the artist’s specific aesthetic decisions, anti-racist and pro-black advocacy, and Scotland’s historic connections to the Transatlantic slave trade. There will be a short interval between the film screening and the discussion.

Chair of the Scotland + Venice partnership, Amanda Catto, said:

“Lagareh is a deeply affective work that draws attention to the racial injustices, violence and death experienced by Black people in the past and the present day.  It speaks powerfully of love, family and hope despite the anger, outrage and hurt that it holds.

“Audiences in Venice have been deeply moved and impacted by the work and this screening tour is an open invitation to people from across the country to experience this significant work first hand.

“We’re honoured to be working with the artist and our partners LUX Scotland to ensure as many people as possible see the film ahead of Alberta’s major solo show opening at The National Galleries of Scotland next Spring.”

The film is part of Whittle’s wider body of work – deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory – that was exhibited at the Venice Biennale from 23 April – 27 November 2022. The exhibition also featured tapestry created in collaboration with Dovecot Studios and sculpture created in collaboration with Glasgow Sculpture Studios. Join Alberta for a tour of the show and an insight into her approach to the work in this video.

National Galleries of Scotland will stage a major solo presentation of Alberta’s work from Sat 1 Apr 2023 – Sun 7 Jan 2024 which will explore her practice in depth, including works from the Venice exhibition.

Background

Image credit

Alberta Whittle, Lagareh – The Last Born, (film still – single channel video), 2022, Photographer Matthew Arthur Williams, © Alberta Whittle. Courtesy the artist, Scotland + Venice, and Forma.

Scottish Screening Tour

• Glasgow Film Theatre: Tuesday 20 September 2022
• Eden Court, Inverness: Thursday 27 October 2022
• Mareel, Shetland Arts, Lerwick: Sunday 27 November 2022
• University of Aberdeen, MacRobert Building: Wednesday 25 January 2023
• Broadford Town Hall in partnership with ATLAS Arts, Isle of Skye: Saturday 11 February 2023
• Ayr Town Hall in partnership with South Ayrshire Council Museums and Galleries: Wednesday 1 March 2023

Tickets for all screenings are free, with wheelchair accessible tickets available. The film is captioned, and all discussion will be live captioned. Full details and how to book can be accessed at LUX Scotland.

2. Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, Alberta Whittle, lives and works in Glasgow and has been based in Scotland since moving here to study firstly at Edinburgh College of Art and later on the Master of Fine Arts programme at The Glasgow School of Art. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh and Research Associate at The University of Johannesburg.  Alberta was awarded a Turner Bursary, the Frieze Artist Award and a Henry Moore Foundation Artist Award in 2020. She was the Margaret Tait Award winner for 2018/19. Her work has been acquired by major public collections including the National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Museums Collections and the Contemporary Art Research Collection at Edinburgh College of Art, as well as by other private collections.

Full information about Alberta’s work and that of the Scotland + Venice partnership can be found at the Scotland + Venice website

3. Find out more about Glasgow based LUX Scotland – the non-profit agency dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting artists’ moving image practices in Scotland.

4. Full information about Art Fund’s support to museums to acquire and share works of art across the UK, further the professional development of their curators, and inspire more people to visit and enjoy their public programmes can be accessed on the Art Fund website.

Media Contact

Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations & PR Officer, Creative Scotland

[email protected] / +44 (0) 7747 606 146