High Commissioner Rachér Croney proudly celebrated the profound impact of the “Palimpsest” exhibition by Grenadian-born artist Billy Gérard Frank, held on 3 May at Paxton House in Scotland.
This transformative event illuminated the deep historical connections between Grenada, Scotland, and England, confronting the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade through compelling artistic storytelling in film and visual art.
Within the walls of Paxton House — a Georgian mansion built with wealth derived from the estates in Grenada — the exhibition served as a powerful moment of reflection and reconciliation. Once tied to the economic reach of the slave trade, Paxton House became a symbol of commitment to recognising the past and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The event was enriched by the presence of esteemed historians, community leaders, and art curators, whose insights deepened the narrative, offering a nuanced exploration of the historical and cultural impacts of chattel slavery.
Central to the event was Frank’s exhibitions, which included a beautiful display of art surrounding the history of the transatlantic slave trade, and his film “Tales Spun from Sea and
Memories,” which was filmed in Grenada with Grenadian actors. The film highlighted the story of Ottobah Cugoano, a Ghanaian boy kidnapped around 1770, enslaved on a Grenadian plantation, and later brought to the UK. The Descendants Charity, a Grenadian Organisation based in the United Kingdom, also worked with Paxton House Trust and schools in Grenada and the UK to retell the story of the transatlantic slave trade and how Waltham and Paraclete estates in Grenada financed the building of Paxton House. The organisation’s initiatives empowered young people from Grenada, Scotland, and England to engage meaningfully with their shared history and to reconnect with the past while boldly shaping a future grounded in unity and hope.
High Commissioner Croney delivered a stirring address, describing the event as “a courageous reckoning of our past, a vibrant realisation of our present, and a hopeful journey toward reconciliation.” She challenged the youth in attendance to become fearless authors of the next chapter in this shared narrative, urging them to write it with clarity and conviction.
She stated: “As we stand here today, let this moment serve as a reminder that while history cannot be undone, its telling can be transformed. And through art, education, and collaboration, we can build bridges over the waters that once divided us…and to the young people — from Grenada, from Scotland, from England — participating in this cross-cultural journey: you are the authors of the next chapter. May you write it boldly!”
By transforming Paxton House into a space of reflection and connection, this event underscored the enduring power of art to educate, heal, unite, and inspire.
The “Palimpsest” exhibition by the renowned and talented Billy Gérard Frank supported the High Commission’s mandate to promote cultural exchange, education, and shed light on the growing calls for reparatory justice. In the words of High Commissioner Croney, his work does more than decorate walls.
High Commission for Grenada, London