An exhibition designed by Yinka Ilori and curated by The Black Archives, exploring hidden histories of forced colonial labor and slavery connected to the Sonsbeek park estates in Arnhem. The exhibition features works by several contemporary artists and highlights the financial reparations owed for colonial exploitation.
This exhibition, presented at Stadsvilla Sonsbeek in Arnhem, delves into the often-overlooked histories of forced colonial labor and slavery that are intertwined with the estates of Sonsbeek and Zypendaal. While these locations are now public parks known for their landscapes and mansions, they were once country houses for Dutch nobility whose wealth was built upon the unfree labor of enslaved people in Suriname, Indonesia, and other colonies. The exhibition was designed by Yinka Ilori, with content curated by The Black Archives and support from Erfgoed Gelderland and Sonsbeek 20 - 24.
Key to the exhibition is the exploration of financial reparations. An open letter and a calculated invoice for colonial forced labor, amounting to 9.5 million, were created by Mitchell Esajas of The Black Archives and curator Amal Alhaag of Sonsbeek 20-24, highlighting the economic legacies of colonialism. The exhibition showcases work by artists Brian Elstak & Lawine, Leonel Piccardo, Richard Kofi, Ishfarah Esseboom, and Jessica de Abreu, bringing contemporary perspectives to these historical narratives.