Saturday 12th October – 5th January 2025
Hastings Gallery & Art Museum, Hastings TN34 1ET
The 2024 WE OUT HERE exhibition is set to open, offering a joyful exploration of African Caribbean
memories of visiting the seaside in the UK. Curated by Lorna Hamilton-Brown RCA MBE, the founder of ‘WE OUT HERE,’ this year’s exhibitionbuilds on a workshop first held as part of the of the highly acclaimed WOH2023 exhibition hosted at Hastings
Contemporary, in 2023.
The exhibition showcases a collection of artworks created by people of African Caribbean descent, who share their personal seaside memories through various creative expressions. These pieces not only capture joyful moments but also highlight the often-overlooked histories and stories of African Caribbean communities in the UK.
In preparation for the exhibition, monthly workshops led by Lorna Hamilton-Brown provided participants with theopportunity to create collage artwork using scrapbooking techniques. These workshops served as a space to reminisce, connect, and share their seaside experiences.
Exhibition Highlights ‘Black Presence in Hastings’:
Revealing the Identity of the Black Flower Seller: Uncovering the story of the Black Flower Seller who traded in St Leonards in the 1900s, bringing to light a significant but largely forgotten part of local history.
Profiling Rollo Ahmed: Celebrating the life of Rollo Ahmed, a friend to Dennis Wheatley and Aleister Crowley, and the author of ‘The Black Art’, a key figure in the exploration of esoteric traditions.
Showcasing John-Paul and Dawn Langley Simmons: Presenting an image of African American mechanic John-Paul Simmons and his wife, British author and trans woman Dawn Langley Simmons. Their wedding blessing took place at St Clements Church in Hastings Old Town in the 60’s. The photo will be featured as part of the Hastings Queer Collective Trail.
EVENTS
15 October 18:30 – TALK ‘Who was the Black Flower Seller’ by Claudine Eccleston, Activist, Independent Researcher, and Founder of Community Interest Company Playing the Race Card
22 October 18:30 – TALK ‘In the Steps of Rollo Ahmed’ by S.I. Martin
Martin specialises in the fields of Black British history and literature, he works with museums, archives and the education sector to bring diverse histories to wider audiences.
15 November 18.30 – A Captured Moment: Dawn & John Paul
We Out Here and the Queer History Collective uncover the remarkable story behind the photograph of American mechanic John-Paul Simmons and his wife, British author and trans woman Dawn Langley Simmons. The evening will begin with a screening of Dawn: A Charleston Legend, directed by Ron Davis. After the film, the group will present their shared research on the lives and times of Dawn and John-Paul, the evening concludes with an audience discussion.
‘Our Memories’ Community event – date TBC
Come and share your African Caribbean Seaside Memories over a meal hosted by the Black Flower Sellers.