AN EXHIBITION set to open during Black History Month will reflect on the experience of soldiers from across the Commonwealth in the First World War.
The display aims to highlight the significant contribution of more than six million African, Caribbean and South Asian people from across former colonies who fought, served and died in the war.
It will open in Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) on October 26, two weeks before Remembrance Sunday, which this year commemorates 110 years since the start of the First World War.
John Akomfrah’s Mimesis: African Soldier is shown across three screens which will allow viewers to see different perspectives and narratives at the same time.
The screens will display archival footage and reimagined contemporary views of historical military experiences alongside still-life scenes, with flowing water running over objects, flags and photographs related to the soldiers.
Akomfrah uses montage techniques and bricolage, weaving together new footage with archival material and still photography. His poetic approach to history and archives is aimed at drawing attention to overlooked stories, Britain’s historical role in conflict across the colonies, and the impact on people of colour today.
There is no spoken narrative in the work. Instead, poignant quotes, an emotive soundscape including song and words such as “disenchantment”, “disgust” and “rude awakening” appear on the screen to function as pauses or titles interspersing the powerful images and archives.
Akomfrah said: “Whatever the life is that you have got as a person of colour, we have arrived at that life in large part because of sacrifices made by people from elsewhere who are very rarely acknowledged and it is important that they are.”
Akomfrah, who lives and works in London as an artist and filmmaker, was a founding member of the influential Black Audio Film Collective, which started in London in 1982.
Other members included artists David Lawson and Lina Gopaul who he still collaborates with today, alongside Ashitey Akomfrah as Smoking Dogs Films.
Ashitey Akomfrah represented Great Britain at the Venice Biennale 2024. He explores personal and collective histories, cultural identity, and the experiences of Black British and global migrant diasporas through his work.
Combining archival footage with his contemporary film and soundscapes, he aims to shed light on lives and experiences often hidden by a more dominant colonial narrative.
His non-linear approach also raises questions about how the past affects present tensions, racism and inequality in society.
