RIP:REST IN PEACE

2024 BERMUDA BIENNIAL

In March of 2020 thanks to my good friend Aquilah Flemming, an avid historian and talented writer and storyteller, I had the honour and pleasure of being in conversation with the late broadcaster and historian Oda 'Blondell' Mallory in her home. Surrounded by museum worthy Bermudian artefacts and literature, we sat for hours having a good girlfriend giggle over white wine, while Mrs. Mallory shared stories and played us old radio recordings of her show between puffs of her cigarette. Her weekly radio show 'Living Memories' broadcasted on local airways during the 80's and 90's. Elderly Bermudians of that time would call into her show sharing their own experiences growing up in Bermuda. Because of this Living Memories revealed a wealth of cultural knowledge that was unknown to most at that time. 'Rest In Peace' focuses on two of those cultural and integral revelations, the acknowledgement of slave graves that were buried across from St. Mary's Church in Warwick (Rubber Tree) resulting in the erection of a monument, and the existence of a graveyard in Tucker's Town from the occupants of that land prior to when they were removed in 1920 to make way for the present day Tuckers Town. 'RIP' highlights the importance of learning and preserving our history so we don't repeat the same historical atrocities, as well as respecting our elders, our ancestors and the storytellers who came before us.