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Anti-imperialism for kids
JOHN GREEN applauds the clarity with which an upcoming exhibition and book make plain Britain's role in the slave trade
TEACHING MATERIALS: pages from Michal Rosen and Jeff Perks's new book for kids [Courtesy of Jeff Perks]

John Bull — linocuts and sculptures by Jeff Perks to a poem by Michael Rosen
Green Man Gallery, Buxton, Derbyshire

 

JOHN BULL is a unique exhibition by visual artist Jeff Perks together with the poet Michael Rosen and in collaboration with the pupils of Litton Primary School, Buxton.

Children’s author Michael Rosen wrote his poem John Bull to explain how slavery came about and how much of Britain’s wealth and the capital for its industrial revolution came from slavery, a fact that is still today barely acknowledged in mainstream histories. This striking exhibition of original linocuts and sculptures provides a visual counterpoint to Rosen’s words and includes work created by pupils from Litton Primary School in response to the poem.

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