Old masters and new community curators show the way
Daniel Nelson
Don’t be deceived by the hype: the Dulwich Picture Gallery bills Journeys as a collection of paintings that throw light on the nature of migration from the 17th century to today.
But there are only six paintings on display, plus a historic visitors’ book signed by a couple of foreign artists.
The six are by big name artists – including Canaletto, Poussin and Lorrain - but the room offers slim pickings for viewers who have donned masks and risked health by travelling across London.
Nevertheless, hats off to the gallery for acknowledging the importance of migration, and saying something important and positive about it.
An explanatory wall panel points out that Rome in the 1600s and subsequently London attracted hundreds of artists from elsewhere in Europe, which contributed to the dynamism and cultural diversity of the two cities. Some artists made brief visits, others settled, as do contemporary migrants.
Another panel tells visitors says there are 7.8 million displaced people in the world, and that every day 37,00 people are forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Now climate-related disasters are generating unprecedented population upheavals.
Such strong, clear statements are not matched by the subtle understatements of the six paintings (“Ships navigate a tumultuous sea … Blue skies are ahead”, says a caption) but it’s good to remind visitors to England’s first purpose-built public art gallery of realities outside this quiet, polished jewel of a place.
Even more significantly, in organising this show the gallery invited “community curators” to bring new perspectives to “journeys and migration”. This group’s heritage spans eight countries including Yemen, Sri Lanka, Italy, Pakistan and Ireland.
“We asked ourselves: what does it mean to be a migrant? What are the challenges faced by both the individual and the host community? Against the backdrop of the UK’s changing relationship with the rest of the world, we examined the historical and thematic context of some of the gallery’s paintings and their relevance for the contemporary viewer.
“Our selection explores the ideas of cultural exchange, and acknowledge those for whom migration is not a matter of choice but survival.”
So Journeys may be a small show, but the Gallery has shown other institutions what they could do if they made the same effort as the Dulwich gallery.
· Journeys, works from the Dulwich Picture Gallery's collection on the nature of migration from the 17th century to today, included with gallery entrance fee of £16.50/ under 30s £5, closed Mondays except Bank Holidays, Gallery Road, SE1, until 22 August. Info: https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/
+ New Grounding, is a six-minute piece produced by spoken word artist Akila M Richards working in collaboration with the Community Curators, on the theme of Journeys of Migration + An animation commission by Nicola Jane Francis brings to life stories shared in the gallery’s Collection Conversations. Both can be found at: https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/displays/2020/january/journeys/
· + 18 June, Journeys Late at Home, celebrate stories of migration and take part in creative workshops, performances and films, part of Refugee Week
· + 28 June, Journeys: Word of Mouth, Inua Ellams, Jaspreet kaur and Akila Richards explore migration-related themes, such as identity and nationality, through spoken word and poetry, 6.30pm, free but ticketed
· + 3 July, Picture description talk: Every Journey Leaves a Trace, free, but ticketed. Info: learning@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk