Castoffs - drawing attention to slavery

Knitting enthusiasts from across Aberdeen collaborated to create an artwork and aid package as part of the city's commemoration of the abolition of slavery.

‘Cast-offs’ was an innovative knitting project developed as part of a major series of events, art projects and exhibitions taking place in the city to mark 200 years since the legal end of the transatlantic slave trade.

Nearly 600 knitters created hundreds of children's jumpers that artist Chris Biddlecombe built into a striking installation on show in the city's Kirk of St Nicholas.

Either in a group, or at home, individuals were given access to the historic research and an awareness of contemporary international slavery issues - each knitter being asked to include a personal creative response as a short piece of text or a small line drawing on a small garment label.

The 600 knitted garments align with the approximate number of children kidnapped from the North East between 1740 and 1746. This location is highly appropriate, given that St Nicholas is the benefactor of children, patron of sea-farers and protector of the poor.

Between 1600 and 1800, around 12 million men, women and children were transported from Africa to produce crops on plantations in America and the Caribbean. This project has highlighted a lesser-known aspect of forced labour in the 18th century where Scottish children were abducted and shipped to the American Colonies – specifically from Aberdeen and the surrounding area.

Drawing a fascinating link between the African Slave Trade and issues of contemporary slavery is the story of Aberdeenshire teenager Peter Williamson, who was kidnapped in Aberdeen harbour and transported to Philadelphia, where he was sold into slavery. After writing a book that exposed the scandal of slave trading, he later returned to the city and sued the Provost, four Bailies and the Dean of Guild for their collusion in his kidnapping.

When the installation is viewed, the jerseys form a collaged composition of text fragments, forgotten messages, lost initials and stolen words. Each knitter's written or drawn response accompanies the installation on garment labels.

When it is finally deconstructed the individual jumpers will form part of an international effort with Feed the Children UK, to combat contemporary child slavery, clothing babies born to young girls abducted in Uganda and closing this unique 'knitting circle'.

As a project, ‘Cast-offs’ is an intriguing art installation in a city centre public space - creating an integrated community response to local history and international affairs and providing a genuine source of aid.

The installation was on display at the Kirk of St Nicholas, Aberdeen, between 8 September and 24 November 2007.

The project was part of a programme of events running throughout 2007:

Our Stories of Slavery: Aberdeen, Africa and the Americas.


The project has been supported by:
Heritage Lottery Fund, Aberdeen City Council, Feed the Children UK, The Kirk of St Nicholas, JC Rennie & Johnstons of Elgin.