Our Modern Magna Carta

Nathalie Hildegarde Liège

Our Modern

Magna Carta

A Stained Glass Artwork’s Journey

April - August 2015 A project for the

800th Magna Carta Anniversary with the

International Slavery Museum Liverpool - Albert Docks Artwork by Nathalie Hildegarde Liege Couleurlive, Studio 4, EBW, Abbey Foregate, West Midlands, SY26AD

Content Pages 1-2

Introduction

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Magna Carta & Modern Themes

4 - 10

The Design: from Template to Final Cartoon • Design Template • Choices made in workshops • Adinkra and Underground Railroad Quilt Code Pattern Symbol guides.

• Final chosen Concepts from the Workshops • Final Cartoon Design

11 - 18

From Concepts to Stained Glass • Adinkra & Underground Railroad Quilt Symbols • Liver Bird: Symbol of Liverpool City • Contemporary Slavery Key Concepts • Meaning of the Clouds • Reference to Liverpool’s History

19 - 22 23 - 24 25 - 30 31 32 33 - 34 35 - 36 37 - 38 39 - 44 45 46

Reference to Human Rights and Law References to Liverpool’s History From Quotes to Stained Glass Signatures Leading Process Window all Leaded, Ready to be Framed & Installed on Site Delivery and Installation Dr. Martin Lurther King Jr. Building The Presentation Acknowledgements and credits Notes

The project presented by the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool.

In April 2015, 15 year 9 students embarked on a project with International Slavery Museum, Liverpool to commemorate 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta.¹ The project took the students to see an exhibition at the British Library on the history of the Magna Carta and at the museum we explored how the Magna Carta has been held up as the first human rights document and quoted by human rights activists at times of wrongful imprisonment. These include Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia trial and Martin Luther King Jr in his ‘Letter from Birmingham jail’. The students also learnt about campaigns on Merseyside that they might not at first have thought were human rights campaigns, such as the rent strikes of the 1970’s, the Docker’s strike of the 1990’s and the ongoing Hillsborough campaign for justice.

The students then worked with stained glass artist Nathalie Hildegarde Liège to design a stained glass window, for display in the martin Luther King Jr building, at the Albert Dock, which captured not only elements of the people and campaigns that they had learnt about, but ideas about freedom, peace, hope and justice. The finished window captures the stories and people that inspired the students, from Malala Yousafzai² to Nelson Mandela, Justice for the 96, the abolition of slavery and the meaning behind Ghanaian Adinkra symbols! It also highlighted the laws from the original Magna Carta that are still enshrined in law. Laws that have given inspiration and hope to people across the ages in their darkest hours of despair and loss of hope: Clauses 39 & 40: The right to trial by jury “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land.

“To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice”.

International Slavery Museum would like to thank the students and staff of Enterprise South Liverpool Academy and the talent, patience and vision of artist Nathalie Hildegarde Liège for making this inspirational project come to life.

Vikky Evans-Hubbard - Education Manager “Our project will bring together young people to explore issues around freedom, democracy, and liberty. It will provide opportunities for civic engagement. We want to encourage young people as decision makers and take action at both an individual and community level.”

“The project will help build their confidence so they have a voice to influence local and national government policy.”

Claire Benjamin - Head of Education and Communities

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism 1

Introduction The Modern Themes Magna Carta, meaning ‘The Great Charter’, is one of the most famous documents in the world. Originally issued by King John of England in 1215, it established the principle that everybody, including the King, was subject to the law.

With the students we looked at how the Modern Magna Carta had potential uses by human rights activists in modern cases and campaigns. We chose the following themes: • • • •

Martin Luther King Jnr Nelson Mandela Merseyside human rights campaigners (Bessie Braddock) Hillsborough disaster (In April, 1989 a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield, there was a disaster that resulted in 96 deaths. The legal action is still ongoing 26 year later.)

• Rights for children and young people (Malala) • Collections of the museum in relation to the theme of the Magna Carta.

In order to understand Magna Carta better we went all together to the British Library Museum exhibition ‘MAGNA CARTA Law, Liberty, Legacy’

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From template to cartoon Design template proposed by the artist.

Choices made: • Keep the shape of the original Magna Carta document as central and the essential references to this historical document with a quote of the Clause 39.

• The original Magna Carta document is suggested as the central piece. To the left, right and below references to the shape and colours of the Earth.

This represents a goal for unity, peace and human rights as the earth is divided by extreme inequalities.

• Making the essential messages clear to read from a long distance.

• Carefully selected text chosen to refer to the challenges of our modernity (chosen by the International Slavery Museum team and the young people) • Names and quotes passing the essence of the messages of the past and present campaigners.

• Choosing a scheme of colours to represent the cultures of our planet, bright or subdued…. (Colours chosen together) • All of the students and adults signed their names in the central piece of Our Modern Magna Carta window.

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Design template created before the workshop as a starting point for the students to work with.

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Choices made at the workshops The workshops² purposely took place in the same room as where the window is fitted.

The students chose quotes to use from the human right activists and campaigners (Malala Yousafzai, Albert Einstein...). The I.S.M team provided the Adinkra symbols from their research and collections. The students also referenced the Hillsborough disaster because of their interest in football.

The students window design layout: Nathalie guiding the students in the process of sketching the design, Introducing them to the use of the pre-cut glass.

We also looked at collections of patterned fabrics from African cultures.

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Symbol Guides Adinkra Symbols (a.s)

Underground Railroad Quilt Symbols (u.r.q.s)

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Final chosen Concepts from the Workshops Finished sketch of the different sections for the window, agreed between the artist and the students.

MAKING SCHEDULE MAY 1st fortnight: Glass cutting 2nd fortnight: Perfecting the design.

JUNE & JULY Glass painting AUGUST Leading

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Final Cartoon Design Artwork created by the artist, in her workshop, to adapt the drawings and hand writing of the students, to the techniques of stained glass painting, keepingthe aesthetic of their original drawings.

1m x 1m 8

Window prior to the leading process

All the small black dots between each piece of painted glass hold the glass on a glass painting easel as seen below. You will notice this in some of the pictures in the following pages.

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1m x 1m

From Concepts to Stained Glass KEY

Concept

Cartoon

Stained Glass

(a.s) = adinkra symbol (u.r.q.s) = railroad quilt symbol

1. This symbols means peace, harmony and serenity The students purposely placed this symbol at the top of the window, as it was the goal of Our Modern Magna Carta (a.s)

2. “Aim high and think ahead� symbolises forethought, planning ahead and setting goals. (a.s)

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3. “Enjoy life, for one has a short stay in this world” Joy and happiness. (a.s)

4. Shoofly Possibly identifies a friendly guide who is nearby and can help.

Bear’s Paw Take a mountain trail, out of view. Follow the path made by bear tracks; they can lead you to water and food.

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5. “Have Courage” stands for valour, courage and determination. (a.s) 5.

6.

6. Flying Geese Points in the direction to follow, such as where geese would fly during spring migration. (u.r.q.s)

7. Log Cabin A secret symbol that could be

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drawn on the ground indicating that a person is safe to talk to. It also advises seeking shelter. (u.r.q.s) 8.

8. “Go back and fetch it” Learning from the past to build the future or fixing mistakes. (u.r.q.s) 9.

9. BowtieDress in a disguise, or put on a change of cloths. (a.s)

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10. Gye Nyame means except God (a.s)

11. Star Follow the North Star. Worked in conjunction with the popular song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” a reference to the Big Dipper constellation (u.r.q.s)

11.

12.

12. “My star will shine one day” stands for Hope, trust and expectation (a.s)

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13. This portrays the waves, currents, rips and flow of the ocean to represent the struggles, difficulty and the ambiguity of the beauty or torment of daily life.

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14. “The King sees all” Stands for Watchfulness, protectiveness and learning (a.s)

14.

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15. “The strength of a ram lies in its horns” Ram’s Horn (Strength and humility) (a.s)

16. “Have Courage” Stands for valuer, courage, and determination.

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17.

Horizontal clouds in the upper border of the window to express hope and peace.

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18.

Vertical clouds to express pain and sorrow in the lower borders of the window.

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References to human rights and la

1. This abolition medal was part

2. This is an American electoral

of the I.S.M collection. It was produced to celebrate the end of slavery throughout British lands during the reign of William IV on 1 August 1834.

tally, which reads ‘Millions for freedom. Not one cent for slavery’ and ‘Success to republican principles’.

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aw 3. Clause 39 (see page 2)

4. “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person�

Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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5.

Definitions of the following contemporary Slavery Key Concepts: Abolition Boycott Child Soldier

Fair Trade Forced labour for the state Human Rights Rehabilitation

Citizenship

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Slavery Slave Trade Supply Chain

Text on the glass was written by the students

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References to Liverpool’s History The Liver Bird, a symbol of the city of Liverpool.

In 1668 the Earl of Derby gave the town council a mace “engraved with ...a leaver”, the first known reference to a liver bird by this name.

Symbol for ‘Justice Campaign’

‘Justice for all’ reference to the Hillsborough disaster ‘Justice Campaign’

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United for Justice is a reference to a mosaic exhibited in the Museum of Liverpool in memory of the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster.

The students were taken on a guided tour of the Museum of Liverpool looking at the collections referring to human rights and the history of Liverpool.

The students shaped the 9 & 6 to paint 96 in the window.

Mosaic memory piece for the Hillsborough disaster in the Museum of Liverpool.

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From Quotes to Stained Glass Reference to the campaigners chosen by the students:

Malala Yousafzai, Anatole France, Albert Einstein

Malala Yousafzai “We realise the importance of a voice only when we are silenced�

This is a Malala Yousafzai reference to oriental tradition of Henna

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Anatole France³ “To accomplish great things we must not only act but dream; Not only plan but also believe.”

Albert Einstein⁴ “In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.”

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Reference to the campaigners chosen by the I.S.M:

Dr Martin Luther King & Nelson Mandela Martin Luther King

During the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Montgomery “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the presence of Justice”

Cobo Center speech “I have a Dream”

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Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela’s Address to a rally in Cape Town on his release from prison...

“Friends, comrades and fellow South Africans, I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all! I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”

Quote from his inaugural speach.

“The time to build is upon us”

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The ‘@’ is a reference to internet communications such as emails, Skype, social media etc. This works along side the computer window.

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The central piece is suggestive of the shape of a monitor, not to forget the modern means of communication and the challenges of our digital age.

The following text was given to the students.

You will work with me and I will share with you my experience of art and of stained glass for us to make an artwork read by many and you may wish to share with many.

I now also share with you my understanding of what a Modern Magna Carta may be and invite you to add your views thinking of the Internet world.

So, my modern Magna Carta starts with a quote of Martha Lane-Fox after her 30th March 2015 BBC Dimbleby Lecture sharing her proposals for the internet world and its fast growing impact on our worlds.

She sees as urgent the calling for all of us to gain a better understanding of the internet, more women with highly technical Internet roles, more calls for all to be part of the IT world beyond prejudices, moral and ethical issues of the Internet to be dealt with.

Like the Magna Carta was a written document at a time when very few had writing/calligraphy skills but it would have a long term impact on our world, the Internet is now an essential mean of communication for our world, it shapes us but too many of us still do not have the full understanding or practice of that skill with a clear view of how it may reshape our human rights for the better or for the worse.

Internet is a language, a rule, a social medium with codes.

“We need to shape the digital world” Martha Lane-Fox said, As an artist I will say it is sculpting our future and artists are known for their long sightedness, so we should take this opportunity of the workshop to give your say.

From your first visit at The British Library until our first day of shaping together this project, I invite you to understand Our Modern Magna Carta inspired by the following call made by Martha Lane-Fox: “ In this 800th year Anniversary of Magna Carta, the document widely upheld as the first example of the rule of law, why don’t we establish frame works to navigate the online world, frameworks that could become as respected as the global rule of law?”

I also invite you to think of our creation as a written document with a few illustrations a little bit cartoons like, plain lines, black lines on coloured background. Gather your chosen words or texts thinking of the quote above.

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Signatures Below are the signatures of the students and adults who were involved in the creation of the design of the window. As it was ‘Our’ Modern Magna Carta is seems appropriate.

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Leading Process

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All glass artwork completed

All glass pieces on the easel before leading

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leaded, framed & ready to be installed on site

On the worktop

Cleaned and dusted

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Delivery & Installation

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In the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. building Grand Opening Day

Tuesday 24th November, 2015

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The Presentation Vikky Evans-Hubbard Education Manager opening the presentation

Two of the students summarizing their understanding of the project

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Nathalie’s Presentation

Vikky and Nathalie were ready for questions...

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Spoiled at the Interval with cakes...

...lively chat...

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...And a great performance.

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...and guests took time for a closer look at the window

with the newly elected young Mayor of Liverpool

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Thank you to everyone involved

Acknowledgements and Credits Thank you to all the following Contributors.

All the Year 9 project participants from Enterprise South Liverpool Academy John McCarthy & Carol McDonald – Enterprise South Liverpool Academy Nicola Runcie – Enterprise South Liverpool Academy David and Steve at Wren Industrial and Marine Fabrications Matt Exley and Karen O’Rourke Museum of Liverpool Harriet Andrews – UpRising.org.uk Special thanks to: Garry Lawler of Sefton Park Day Centre and Community Stained Glass, Liverpool for introducing Nathalie Hildegarde Liege to Liverpool Slavery Museum, his participation of the workshops with the students and the installation of the window.

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Notes 1.

This project for the Liverpool International Slavery Museum was worked to strict deadlines from the client and in this period I worked only on this project.

2.

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. Born: July 12, 1997 (age 18), Mingora, Pakistan. Now a resident in Birmingham.

3.

Anatole France was a French poet, journalist, and novelist. Born: April 16, 1844, Paris, France.

4.

Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist. He developed the general theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics.

Einstein’s work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. Wikipedia Born: March 14, 1879, Ulm, Germany Leading up to his death, and despite poor health, Einstein gave all his energy to campaigns for peace and on his scientific work to. The quote in the window was part of Einstein’s last, unfinished, document was the draft of a speech to mark Israel’s Independence Day. His opening remarks commented on long-term conflict between Israel and Egypt.

‘You may think this is a small and insignificant problem and that there are more serious things to worry about. But this is not true. In matters of truth and justice there can be no distinction between big problems and small...Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted in important affairs....’

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Photography Couleurlive & Stewart MacKellar Photography Text Nathalie Hildegarde Liège Design & Editing Couleurlive & Stewart MacKellar Photography