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| Photoanarchy . 2005 Black History Month . Biography . Archive . Home |
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Abolitionist Historiography
an ongoing Slave Revolt documentary project by Elvert Xavier Barnes
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| Shortly before the Frenchman Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre announced the discovery of photography to the world on August 19, 1839, the most famous slave revolt aboard a ship took place on the Spanish vessel Amistad. It touched off another revolt, the brig Creole, laden with slaves, sailed from Richmond bound for New Orleans; there the slaves mutinied, took the vessel, and carried her into the British West Indies and freedom. |
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A mutiny on a ship . Collection . Roger-Voillet |
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In the process of developing a 2005 Black History Month Project I would search the internet for 'slave revolt images' and, as a result, would come across several including the above "A slave mutiny on a ship" from the Roger-Viollet Collection. Realizing then that photography, at that time, was in its infancy and having already observed that none of the 'slave rebellion' images that appeared on the internet 'photographs' I decided to incorporate various mediums into the project including paintings, drawings, illustrations, and/or lithographs. As well as copies of newspaper articles, wanted posters and other such historic documents.
While there were many images of slaves in various stages of rebellion, fleeing, running away and/or 'in submission' I found none that depicted the master or any white males in a submissive or defeated position. In fact, those that depicted white males reflected that he, in a position of authority, had the upper hand. Which, of course, is no surprise since they were all created by whites. |
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| I want black children to know how much of their history is tied to this very importat art form. I want black children to be photographers, either amateur or professional. It is important to document the lives and achievements of blacks in the communities in whch they live. Photography has played a key role in the shaping of our self image as blacks. We must remain vigilant, we must continue to contribute our thoughts, ideas and images as black American photographers if we are truly to be integrated into the fabric of and remain contributors to American history. Photography: The Art and Science . Margeret D. Andrews . Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute |
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| Though my hope is to 'capture a moment in time' that can not ever be again my purpose, specifically, is to document history from the perspective of a black man. And, as a result, not only affect/effect how others may or may not view the black community, but more importantly 'bring into focus' a more accurte perspective of our own ccommunites so that blackfolks, specifically, may see the truth and visualize themselves in a more positive light. "I Be Holding On" . Elvert Xavier Barnes Photography |
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