Riccardo De Bruce - launch event for #Offsite9

City of Wolverhampton Mayor, Councillor Greg Brackenridge, opened the latest exhibition launch for Offsite9 on Friday 11th March at the Light House for artist Riccardo De Bruce’s ‘Stephen Architect of Hope’ project.

Stephen Architect of Hope is a tribute to Stephen Lawrence, the eighteen-year-old Black British student from South London who was the victim of a racist gang murder on the evening of 22nd April 1993.

Using poetry and drawings Riccardo De Bruce has been documenting some of the continuous critical discourse, the lessons to be learnt, and the ways that Lawrence’s life story can inspire today’s generation to succeed in the multicultural landscape of the UK.

His art book contains 29 poems and 34 drawings written for each year following Lawrence’s death and references Black Activists alongside quotes which add a historical context to the contemporary issues of hate crimes, racism and institutional racism that affect the Black Diaspora in the UK.

”The exhibition and poetry book, is a tribute, a homage to the continued importance of Stephen's legacy.” Comments Riccardo.

“His legacy is still very important as many innocent black lives have continued to be taken since his death in 1993. It is integral for artists and educators to continue to explore issues concerning hate crimes and racism in the ongoing fight for equality. The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De Montford University continues research-led initiatives and Stephen's legacy continues to provide resources for pupils and educators. Art and education have a critical key role in informing the next generation of newer positive ideas and concepts in the struggle against prejudice.

Stephen Architect of Hope supports Stephen's architectural dreams and continues a creative and transformational legacy of hope.”

Thank you to everyone that came to the launch.

You can visit the exhibition for free during Light House opening hours until 31st March.

Images by Dee Patel - video by Cedar Media.