Offsite9: Stephen Architect of Hope - Riccardo De Bruce
Stephen Architect of Hope is a tribute to Stephen Lawrence, the eighteen-year-old Black British student from South London who was the victim of a racist gang murder on the evening of 22nd April 1993.
Using poetry and drawings Riccardo De Bruce is documenting some of the continuous critical discourse, the lessons to be learnt, and the ways that Lawrence’s life story can inspire today’s generation to succeed in the multicultural landscape of the UK. His art book contains 29 poems and 34 drawings written for each year following Lawrence’s death and references Black Activists alongside quotes which add a historical context to the contemporary issues of hate crimes, racism and institutional racism that affect the Black Diaspora in the UK.
Tell us more about the continued significance of Stephen Lawrence’s legacy?
The Stephen Architect of Hope art exhibition and poetry book, is a tribute, a homage to the continued importance of Stephen's legacy. His legacy is still very important as many innocent black lives have continued to be taken since his death in 1993. It is integral for artists and educators to continue to explore issues concerning hate crimes and racism in the ongoing fight for equality. The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De Montford University continues research-led initiatives and Stephen's legacy continues to provide resources for pupils and educators. Art and education have a critical key role in informing the next generation of newer positive ideas and concepts in the struggle against prejudice.
Stephen Architect of Hope supports Stephen's architectural dreams and continues a creative and transformational legacy of hope.
How have you approached the production of your drawings and poems?
The drawings and poems evolved emotionally over the decades. Informed by critical thinking and narratives relating to the ongoing issues of the historical case. Conceptual reflections and a minimalistic outcome have evolved, inspiring the poems and drawings.
What are your ambitions for the project more widely?
My ambition is to inform the uninformed through poetry and drawing that explore these complex and sensitive issues. The narratives investigated in the Stephen Architect of Hope art exhibition and poetry book are created to inspire the next generation.