A Celebration of Demonstration

A celebration of the power of protest and the ongoing fight for justice.

The theme for this years’ Black History Month is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. A powerful tribute to the resilience, strength and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. In collaboration with Somerset African Caribbean Network and Visual Activist Wayne Campbell we invite you to step into our new temporary exhibition space and stand together for this intensely emotive photography exhibition exploring the power of protest.

The South West is is known for its radical history. In Street the history of the Shoemakers is embedded with the Clarks family and the Quakers who were concerned with issues of social justice, who used protest as a tool for social change and created space for conversation about issues from women’s suffrage to abolition of slavery and the free cotton movement.

In this temporary exhibition renowned visual activist, Wayne Campbell will be displaying his photography taken in London after the murder of George Floyd.

We will pose questions about identity and social change and visitors will have the chance to give their own reflections about finding their voice in a rural community and highlight the history of racial justice in Somerset.

Wayne Campbell describes himself as a story teller who injects creativity, passion and activism into everything he does. This exhibition hosted at Shoemakers Museum has been brought by The Somerset African Caribbean Network, a sector pioneer that aims to bring African and Caribbean communities together to connect and campaign.

The exhibition is open daily and is free as part of your museum annual pass.

A talk and Q&A with the artist will take place on 14 October – details to follow.

More about the artist Wayne Campbell

Wayne describes himself as a passionate visual activist, who infuses creativity,
time and activism into all aspects of his work. Throughout his career, he has grown in
various fields such as photography, filmmaking, and illustration, drawing inspiration from his
environment, emotions, and experiences.

Growing up in Brixton, Southwest London, with roots in Uganda and Jamaica,
Wayne’s work has always been a reflection of his environment. The streets of Brixton in the
1970s, marked by resistance and solidarity, shaped his lens, driving a deeper understanding
of creativity and activism within him.

A pivotal moment in 2020 transformed Wayne’s creative expression. The murder of George
Floyd ignited a passion for visual activism and giving birth to his first book A Celebration Of
Demonstration. Since then, Wayne has been at the forefront, capturing the raw emotions of
demonstrations for justice—from COVID-19 and Freedom Rallies to protests for Palestine.