Can art truly capture the unfathomable suffering of the transatlantic slave trade? The works of Tom Feelings and others demonstrate that art can, indeed, serve as a powerful testament to the horrors of the Middle Passage, offering a visceral and unflinching account of a history that must never be forgotten.
The "Middle Passage" a term that echoes with the pain of millions refers to the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas and the West Indies. This was but one leg of the infamous triangular trade, a brutal system that saw European goods exchanged for African people, who were then traded for raw materials produced on plantations. These materials, in turn, were shipped back to Europe, completing the cycle of exploitation. The journey, often lasting months, was fraught with disease, starvation, and unimaginable cruelty.
The exhibit at the Bruce Museum, running from May 2, 1998, through July 1, 1998, offered a poignant look into this dark chapter of human history, through Tom Feelings' drawings and the narrative paintings that vividly portrayed the nightmarish journey of enslaved Africans. This exhibition served as a reminder of the scale and the brutality of the slave trade. The museum aimed to shed light on the conditions and the profound resistance of the enslaved Africans who endured this journey, it aimed to create a space for dialogue and reflection.
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| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tom Feelings |
| Born | May 19, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | August 25, 2003 (aged 70) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Illustrator and author, primarily known for his work depicting the African-American experience and the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade, particularly the Middle Passage. |
| Education | Attended the Cartoonists and Illustrators School (now the School of Visual Arts) |
| Key Works | "The Middle Passage" (1993), "Soul Looks Back in Wonder" (1993, with various poets), "Black Pilgrimage" (1972) and "White Ships/Black Cargo" |
| Awards & Recognition | Coretta Scott King Award, numerous accolades for his contributions to children's literature and his depiction of African-American history and culture. |
| Focus of Work | Advocacy for racial equality and historical truth. |
| Themes | Exploration of identity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the African diaspora. |
| Legacy | Feelings' work serves as a powerful testimony to the atrocities of slavery, inspiring generations to confront historical injustices through art, and is considered essential reading, and a powerful means of education and remembrance. |
| Reference | Tom Feelings Official Website |
Feelings' powerful narrative paintings in "The Middle Passage" offered an unflinching depiction of this horrific journey. His work, along with that of illustrators like Floyd Cooper and E.B. Lewis, provides incredibly vivid accounts, digestible for both children and their parents. His illustrations, accompanied by 11 text panels, formed part of a traveling exhibition, bringing awareness of the brutality and the profound impact of the transatlantic slave trade. Books such as "White Ships/Black Cargo," which is best known for, show his dedication to bringing awareness of racism and oppression, to our youth.
Before dedicating himself fully to the harrowing subject of the Middle Passage, Feelings spent years illustrating the beauty and resilience of the Black experience for African children. His trip to Guyana in 1972, where he taught other illustrators how to tell the authentic story of colonized people, proved to be a turning point. It ignited a passion to convey the truth of the historical reality in his work. His art is often praised for returning to us that which was missing from the historical archives; an emotive and powerful account of the experience.
The "White Ships/Black Cargo" by Tom Feelings is an important work that should be owned by every American. The original artwork for "The Middle Passage," along with other works, such as a drawing from around 1790 of the slave ship Brookes, shows how more than 420 adults and children were crammed onto this vessel. This drawing vividly illustrated the notorious brutality of the passage. The illustration, showing a section of a slave ship along the Middle Passage, reveals the inhumane living conditions enslaved Africans endured.
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The journey, depending on weather conditions, could take anywhere from one to six months. Over time, human trafficking ships got better at making the trip more quickly. In the early 16th century, the average trip took a few months, but by the 19th century, many slave ships crossed the Middle Passage in fewer than six weeks, increasing the suffering of those on board.
The Middle Passage was a central component of the triangular trade, a system that involved the movement of goods from Europe to Africa (knives, guns, ammunition, cotton cloth, tools, and other manufactured goods), the forced transportation of Africans to the Americas and West Indies, and the conveyance of raw materials from the plantations back to Europe.
The print of the Brookes slave ship, for example, became one of the most recognizable images of the Middle Passage. The image was reproduced countless times as a means of forwarding the abolitionist cause. This powerful visual tool was pivotal in shaping the public's perception of the horrors of the slave trade.
Tom Feelings' work offers a poignant counterpoint to other artistic interpretations of slavery. Works such as Kara Walkers silhouettes, for example, highlight the antebellum life and exploitation during that time. The exhibition, inspired by Ian Baucoms reading of J.M.W. Turners Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and DyingTyphoon Coming in Specters of the Atlantic, also showcases different depictions of slavery in the visual arts. The work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and others, serve as a stark reminder of the past.
Richard Hunt, is an acclaimed sculptor whose work often incorporates abstract and industrial-type materials, The Middle Passage symbolizes the passage of Africans into the Americas.
The legacy of the Middle Passage and the transatlantic slave trade continues to resonate, demanding that we remember and learn from the past, which underscores the importance of works like Tom Feelings' and exhibitions like those at the Bruce Museum and the SCAD Museum of Art.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | The forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to the Americas, as part of the transatlantic slave trade. |
| Part of Trade Route | Central leg of the triangular trade: Europe to Africa (goods), Africa to Americas (enslaved people), Americas to Europe (raw materials). |
| Conditions on Ships | Overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, disease, starvation, brutality, and high mortality rates. The drawing of the Brookes ship is a stark example. |
| Duration | Typically one to six months, though this decreased over time with faster ships. |
| Impact on Africans | Physical and psychological trauma, loss of freedom, family separation, and death. The passage resulted in a significant demographic shift in both Africa and the Americas. |
| Resistance | Rebellions, suicide attempts, and preservation of cultural practices. The enslaved Africans showed extraordinary strength. |
| Historical Context | Linked to the rise of European colonialism, the demand for labor in the Americas (especially for sugar, tobacco, and cotton plantations), and the development of a global economy. |
| Artistic Depictions | Powerful artistic representations by Tom Feelings, Floyd Cooper, E.B. Lewis, and others. |
| Cultural Significance | Forms a critical component of understanding the history of slavery, the African diaspora, and the legacies of racism and inequality. |
| Primary Sources | Accounts from survivors, ship logs, illustrations, and documents which capture the brutal experience. |
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