Alberta Whittle's 'Create Dangerously' at National Galleries of Scotland

The National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh is currently showcasing 'Create Dangerously,' an exhibition by Alberta Whittle, a Scottish artist originally from Barbados, running until 7 January 2024. At the heart of the exhibition is 'Lagareh – The Last Born' (2022), a 43-minute film that debuted at the Scottish Pavilion during the 2022 Venice Biennale. This film, which was filmed in locations such as London, Ayrshire, Sierra Leone, Barbados, and Venice, combines stylized dance, iPhone recordings of police actions in the UK, aerial views, and a portrayal of black queer expectant parents. Its haunting soundtrack includes ethereal vocals and mbira sounds, culminating in a lament for victims of racist police brutality in the UK, like Joy Gardner, Sarah Reed, Smiley Culture, and Sheku Bayoh. Whittle emphasizes themes of love and care through watercolors featuring uplifting messages like 'Fill your heart with hope' and 'Invest in love.' The exhibition also includes ocean-blue-green gate sculptures, such as 'Entanglement is more than blood' (2022), which utilize diamond patterns and whaling rope to evoke colonial extraction. It explores concepts of access and enclosure, with wall texts urging visitors to 'pause' and engage with 'love, care, and hope,' although some critiques suggest these messages may come off as overly sentimental. Whittle prioritizes emotional depth over data-driven artistic approaches, placing memory at the core of her political narrative.