Dreading the Map

I missed out on seeing the original artwork at the Royal Geographical Society when it was on display. This video explains the creation of 'Dreading the Map.

Read more about the artwork here.

As part of the CARICUK research project, an event discussing the original artwork Dreading the Map, which is currently installed in the Society’s Map Room, is taking place on Monday 24 May.

Led by Dr Pat Noxolo, the Creative approaches to race and (in)security in the Caribbean and the UK (CARICUK) research project aims to transform discussions about race and anti-racism in UK higher education institutions.

One element of the project is the installation of an original artwork by visual artist Sonia E. Barrett at the Society’s building in South Kensington. Titled Dreading the Map, the sculpture draws on surplus maps of the Caribbean and East Africa, some from the Society’s Collections, and uses Black hair techniques to remake and reclaim what the maps represent. Barrett and a group of Black women co-creators shredded, plaited and weaved the maps together to create the installation.