Changing the Face of History

Finally, a more traditional museum exhibition sits in the last room. A timeline using word, picture and artefacts is used to fully explain the savagery (and dilution of such) by Picton. We are educated on the ascent of Picton to become First Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, his brutal acts during that regime, his downfall and, lastly, the effects it has had on today. Strikingly, detail into Picton’s trial, which eventually led to his demise, is explained, going into detail of his torture methods and the real transcript from the trial. The trial links back to Laku Neg’s first installation - it was against 14 year old girl: Luisa Calderon. In this last room, the common glamorous stories told of Picton are dismantled with fact. After an educating travel around the room, you are confronted with the framed portrait of Picton which inspired this whole expedition. In light of this portrait being taken down from the Faces of Wales gallery at National Museum Cardiff, ‘Reframing Picton’ was born. The portrait is to be replaced with another portrait Titled ‘Hedger and Ditcher: Portrait of William Lloyd’.

‘Reframing Picton’ allowed the truth of colonial history to be exposed, after so many years of non-European communities trying to do so. Black Lives Matter, though being alive for decades, seemed to have inspired this ignition to uncovering the truth. Though, on exiting the final room and returning to the permanent exhibitions in Cardiff Museum, you are instantly met with paintings upon paintings of white faces. It is an evident and drastic difference in whose stories are being told, showing this is only the first steps. Next, we are to strip these figures of their titles (Sir/Lieutenant), their glory and then finally, their platform. Empty the frame.