Fragments of Belonging: The Project
Fragments of Belonging is an ongoing multidisciplinary project that explores historical connections between Whitehaven in Cumbria, West Africa, and the Caribbean through painting, film and poetry. Developed during an artist residency at Rosehill Arts Trust, the first phase combined community engagement, archival research, and creative practice culminating in an exhibition and screening of a 26-minute essay film. The project now enters a new phase of research, focusing on Antigua, and the island's historical connections to Whitehaven through maritime trade, sugar, rum, and the wider Atlantic world.
Exhibition At Rosehill
The exhibition and screening was presented at Rosehill, from 24th March to 24th April 2026. It brought together paintings, film, poetry and community responses developed during the residency, inviting visitors explore the project through multiple perspectives and forms of storytelling. The exhibition was accompanied by a public screening of the film and a Q&A session with the artist. After the public screening, the film was available on a continuous loop for the duration of the exhibition, enabling visitors to Rosehill to view it alongside the painting, poetry and community contributions.
Fragments of Belonging: The Film
The 26-minute essay film weaves together poetry, interviews, archival research, and personal observations from Whitehaven and Ghana. Presented alongside paintings and community contributions, it formed a central part of the exhibition. A 3-minute excerpt is shown below.