The High Commission for Grenada in London proudly commemorated a significant cultural and historical milestone with the Palimpsest exhibition by Grenadian-born artist Billy Gérard Frank, held on May 3 at Paxton House in Scotland.
High Commissioner Rachér Croney led the celebration of this powerful artistic event, which explored the deep and often painful ties between Grenada, Scotland, and England—particularly in relation to the transatlantic slave trade. Through visual art and film, Palimpsest served as both a reckoning and a tribute, using the power of storytelling to confront history and inspire dialogue.
Hosted at Paxton House—a Georgian-era estate whose construction was financed through profits from Grenadian plantations—the exhibition offered a space for reflection, education, and reconciliation. Once emblematic of colonial wealth built on the backs of enslaved Africans, Paxton House now became a platform for truth-telling and healing.
The exhibition featured a compelling array of artworks and a screening of Frank’s film Tales Spun from Sea and Memories, filmed in Grenada and brought to life by local actors. The film tells the story of Ottobah Cugoano, a Ghanaian boy kidnapped and enslaved in the 1770s on a Grenadian plantation before being brought to the UK, where he became an early voice in the abolitionist movement.
The event also highlighted a significant collaboration between The Descendants Charity—a UK-based Grenadian organization—Paxton House Trust, and schools in Grenada and the UK. Together, they worked to educate young people about the historical connections between Waltham and Paraclete Plantations in Grenada and the construction of Paxton House. Their cross-cultural efforts empowered youth from all three nations to explore their shared heritage and envision a future rooted in understanding and unity.
In her keynote address, High Commissioner Croney called the exhibition “a courageous reckoning of our past, a vibrant realization of our present, and a hopeful journey toward reconciliation.” She urged young attendees to take ownership of the narrative, declaring:
“As we stand here today, let this moment serve as a reminder that while history cannot be undone, its telling can be transformed. And through art, education, and collaboration, we can build bridges over the waters that once divided us. To the young people—from Grenada, from Scotland, from England—participating in this cross-cultural journey: you are the authors of the next chapter. May you write it boldly.”
The Palimpsest exhibition strongly aligned with the High Commission’s ongoing mission to promote cultural diplomacy, education, and the growing call for reparatory justice. As High Commissioner Croney eloquently stated, Billy Gérard Frank’s work “does more than decorate walls—it awakens the soul and stirs the conscience.”
By transforming a historic site into a venue for shared reflection, Palimpsest reaffirmed the enduring power of art to educate, heal, and inspire across generations and borders.
