A new art project is launching next week Thursday 27 May to transform our understanding of the transatlantic slave trade.

The educational project entitled, The World Reimagined, aims to highlight slavery’s impact on all of us.

It also hopes to act as a catalyst to help make racial justice a reality.

The World Reimagined is co-founded by actress and singer, Michelle Gayle, who said in a statement: “If we’re going to make racial justice a reality for all, it calls on us to courageously face our shared history with honesty, empathy and grace.

“If we do that, we can create a future in which everyone can say I’m seen. That’s the mission of The World Reimagined.”

Speaking about the feedback she has received so far, Michelle said: “The response we’ve had so far from artists, icons, organisations and cities shows the desire for a multidimensional telling of our shared history – honouring the many people and organisations who have worked in pursuit of racial justice and extending an invitation to all to join the conversation. We hope you will join us.”

The World Reimagined is also encouraging unknown artists to apply to have the opportunity to create art work for the project and they are keen to hear from artists in the Black community.

The nationwide scheme aims get over a million people to engage in sculpture trails in different cities across the UK.

The World Reimagined will showcase trails of large sculptures in cities including Birmingham, London, Leeds, Bristol and many others.

The trails are being delivered in partnership with global public art producers, Wild in Art, whose previous work includes the London 2021 Olympics.

The sculptures will bring to life the harsh reality and impact of the transatlantic slave trade.

Some of the themes which will be explored throughout the project are ‘Mother Africa’, ‘The Reality of Being Enslaved’ and ‘Still We Rise’.

Confirmed icons and artists participants in the project include 2004 Turner Prize nominee Yinka Shonibare CBE; Lina Viktor; Zak Ové; Sir Trevor McDonald; Lakwena Maciver; Maxim (The Prodigy); Nicola Green and Kimathi Donkor.

The event will also encourage artists and schools to participate in creatively exploring our collective history and imaging a future where racial justice is possible and also a reality.

The online launch event will feature Sky News presenter, Gillian Joseph, author and activist, Lee Lawrence, poet Keisha Thompson and the cast members from the West End production Hamilton.

The project has been in development since 2019 and will take place across the UK in May to July of 2022.

The World Reimagined will launch online on Thursday 27 May 2021. For more information and to reserve your free place, click here: https://www.theworldreimagined.org/