Dreph

<div>Olaudah Equiano was one of the first black abolitionists to visit Ireland, travelling to the country in May 1791. He was regarded as a leading spokesperson on enslavement and was also a gifted writer and lecturer. In 1789 he published his autobiography, 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African'. He travelled widely promoting the book, which became immensely popular, helping the abolitionist cause. It is one of the earliest books published by a black African writer.&nbsp;<br><br>He arrived in Ireland at a time of heightened revolutionary activity in Europe in the wake of the French Revolution of 1789. During his visit to Belfast, Equiano stayed with Samuel Neilson, a member of the Charitable Society, founder and editor of the radical, abolitionist newspaper the Northern Star and a founding member of the United Irishmen. Although primarily remembered as Irish separatists, it was the United Irishmen's promotion of equality and abolitionism that most interested Dreph.<br><br>It was members of this society who hosted Equiano during most of his visit. Consequently, African-born Equiano, a former slave, unwittingly found himself at the centre of radical Irish politics.<br><br>This mural is based on a black and white portrait painted by William Denton and engraved by Daniel Orme. It was commissioned by Equiano as a frontispiece to The Interesting Narrative.&nbsp;<br><br>@dreph_<br><br>Part of the Belfast Entries Project</div>

Olaudah Equiano

Untitled

<div>Huge Brixton mural celebrates the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’<br><br>The stunning 16-foot piece mural, placed next to the police station on Canterbury Crescent, pays homage to the 40th anniversary of the 1981 Brixton Uprising – a watershed moment for race relations in the UK.<br><br>Growing tensions around racial inequality erupted into violent clashes between the predominantly Black youth of Brixton and the Metropolitan police force.<br>The uprising was sparked by the same police violence and injustice that Marvin Gaye sang about in What’s Going On. The riots took place over three days, devastating the community and injuring over 300 people.<br>Dreph’s art represents the musical message of What’s Going On, which still held its significance amongst police brutality and racial inequality in 1981 and continues to encourage today’s social justice movement.<br>The picket signs reference the lyrics from the title track and words taken from the album’s song titles within the piece. The symbols represent contemporary movements campaigning to address the climate crisis, gender inequality, and world peace.</div>

What's Going On?

<div>The rising of sea levels is a topic that can seem so far away from the concerns of everyday life here in Margate. Sadly just in the same way as many low-lying countries and smaller islands around the world will have to evaluate how they deal with rising sea levels, many parts of the UK will also need to turn their attention to this increasingly impactful crisis. Eventually, Thanet will return to being an island off the coast of mainland UK, as it was before farmers filled in the rivers. It’s currently estimated that this could become a reality as soon as the year 2050.</div><div><br>This mural captures two local Thanet children playing with sandcastles on the beach, water rising all around the castle, and asks whether it is fair to leave this scenario for the young and as-yet unborn to deal with. Addressing our carbon footprints <em>today</em> is vital, to undo the unnecessary responsibilities that we are currently leaving for those in future generations.</div><div><br>We can take steps to reduce our individual carbon by changing our diets, shopping habits, energy and transport choices. To that end, RUR is challenging how event production is conducted, opting to use a Graphenstone biosphere which, applied up to four weeks before the mural is painted, sequesters carbon.</div><div><br>With special thanks to Margate locals Shona and Daisy for being a part of this project.<br><br>Instagram: @riseupresidency_<br>www.<a href="https://riseupresidency.co.uk/">riseupresidency.co.uk/</a><br>www.<a href="https://www.riseupcleanup.co.uk/">riseupcleanup.co.uk/</a><br><br></div>

Sandcastles & Sea Level Rising

<div>Theres quite a few of drephs pieces to be found in London at the moment, there all outstanding portraits of influential black people that he's showcased.&nbsp;</div>

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Dreph

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