What do you think of when someone mentions slavery? For many of us, it will be an image related to slavery from times gone by, but slavery still takes place today, and it could be happening near you. That is the message that campaigners want us to share on Modern Slavery Day, which this year takes place on Saturday, 18 October, ahead of Anti-Slavery Week.
It is a message that St Mary’s Church, Bridgwater will be sharing loud and clear with an art exhibition from Hidden Voices on the theme of ‘the hidden’ from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 October.
We talked to organiser Julia Holder-Shephard:
Q: What is the focus of this year’s Hidden Voices event?
A: This year’s event is an exhibition centred around the theme of ‘the hidden.’ Members of the Hidden Voices team will be present every day, promoting awareness of modern slavery and ethical alternatives. We’re working with local charities like Riverford Farm, which promotes ethical growing, to show the contrast between current practices and how things could be.
Q: What kind of organisations and themes are being highlighted?
A: We’re covering sectors like farming, clothing, and healthcare. For example, we’re raising awareness about exploitation in nail bars and hand car washes - places people use regularly without realising what might be happening behind the scenes.
Q: What form will the exhibition take?
A: We’ve partnered with two art groups - one from Minehead called the Sparrows Project, and another based in Chard. They’re contributing various forms of artwork, and we’re hoping to feature a live performance piece on the opening day, Friday the 17 October.
Q: How is this year’s event different from previous ones?
A: Last year was purely an art exhibition held at the Minster in Taunton. This year, we’re combining art with information and awareness. It’s about exposing the hidden aspects of consumer habits and encouraging people to make more ethical choices.
Q: When and where is the exhibition taking place?
A: The exhibition runs from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 October, which incorporates Modern Slavery Day, which is on Saturday, 18 October. The performance piece is planned for the launch day, which is on the Friday. As well as the artwork on display, we will have a screen showing artwork from past events and the current one, including the Friday performance.
Q: What message would you give to someone considering attending?
A: Come along and see how we’re all part of one society, responsible for each other. Anything that raises awareness and helps care for people - whether next door or further afield - is worth supporting. It’s not a light topic, but it’s one that needs to be discussed, and the combination of information and art creates a helpful space for reflection and learning.
Read the October Manna mailing for more about how we can tackle Modern Slavery together