The Seeds In Our Wombs

Debut Solo Exhibition

Exhbition Text from OSCAM

Rooted in the history of the transatlantic slave trade, this series is inspired by the acts of resistance of enslaved African women. Slave masters subjected enslaved women to systematic physical and sexual exploitation, perpetuating profound generational suffering and dehumanization.These women rebelled against the expectations placed upon them and discovered different ways of regaining agency over their bodies.

One way enslaved women regained control over their bodies was by inducing miscarriages through eating the Peacock Flower, a bush sprouting bright yellow and orange flowers. This allowed them to reject the possibility of birthing offspring that would inevitably become enslaved. Robinson’s work explores how this act of protest gave them a sense of agency.

Her work adds to the afro-futuristic myth of an underwater Black Civilization, made up of the descendants of pregnant African women, who were cast overboard slave ships because they were sick or considered disruptive. In Robinson’s reimagining of this story, their unborn children are rescued by Yemaya, the Yoruban Ocean Goddess, who taught them to thrive underwater.

Works shown:

Ocean Journeys

Blue Foetus 1, Blue Foetus 2, Blue Foetus 3, Blue Foetus 4, Blue Foetus 5, Blue Foetus 6

Wajinru, Yemaya Waves, Yemaya Shells, Mami Wata, Yemaya Snake, Yemaya Moon

Nine Peacock Flower Seeds

Yellow Womb Seeds, Orange Womb Seeds, Red Womb Seeds

Photographs by Almicheal Fraay