They Promised Her Venus, But Took Her Freedom.

Created using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator Dimensions: 7111 × 4000 Technique: Digital collage/illustration Inspired by the poignant tale of Sarah Baartman, also known as Venus Hottentot, and the iconic work "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli, this artwork transcends time to weave a narrative of resilience, exploitation, and the enduring quest for true liberation. Afrofuturism plays a big role in my creative process, with this in mind...A black woman, a symbol of strength and grace, stands as the central figure, embodying both the goddess Venus and the tragic echoes of Sarah Baartman's life. A life that needs to be remembered, a story I want to be preserved on the blockchain. They Promised her Venus but gave her a Cage in France... They promised they would crown her but gave her chains instead... They Promised she would be a star but she was a circus act to them. These words form a haunting poem, encapsulating the disillusionment and the heart-wrenching transformation of a promise into a nightmare. HISTORY Sarah was a Khoikhoi woman who was exhibited as a freak show attraction in 19th-century Europe under the name Hottentot Venus, a name which was later attributed to at least one other woman similarly exhibited. The women were exhibited for their steatopygic body type uncommon in Western Europe which not only was perceived as a curiosity at that time but became a subject of scientific interest as well as of erotic projection. ''La Belle Hottentote'', a 19th-century French print of Baartman "Venus" is sometimes used to designate representations of the female body in arts and cultural anthropology, referring to the Roman goddess of love and fertility. "Hottentot" was a colonial-era term for the indigenous Khoikhoi people of southwestern Africa, now usually considered an offensive term. The Sarah Baartman story is often regarded as the epitome of racist colonial exploitation and the commodification of the dehumanization of black people. POSTER ADVERTISING HER JUST ARRIVED FROM LONDON, And, by Permission, will be Exhibited here for a few days, At Mr James's Sale Rooms, Corner of Lord-street, THAT MOST WONDERFUL Phenomenon of Nature, THE HOTTENTOT VENUS, The only One ever exhibited in Europe. In viewing this Wonderful LIVING Production of Nature, the Public have a perfect specimen of that most extraordinary Tribe of the Human Race, who have for such a Length of Time inhabited the most Southern Parts of Africa, whose real Origin has never yet been ascertained, nor their Character, which has been so differently described by every Traveller who has visited those remote Regions of the World; and considering the natural morose Disposition of those People (who are scarcely ever observed to laugh) she is remarkably mild and affable in her Manners. She has had the Honor of being visited by His Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, and several Branches of the ROYAL FAMILY, also the principal NOBILITY, of both Sexes, in England, and declared to be a great natural Curiosity, well worthy the Attention of the Public. She is particularly obliged to the Female Sex who have so liberally patronized her Exhibition, and more especially after the malicious Reports circulated to her Disadvantage after her Arrival in this Kingdom; but which have been long since proved to be groundless. Over her Clothing, which is suitable to this Climate, is worn all the rude Ornaments used by that tribe on Gala Days. N. B. Elegant Engravings of the Venus, by Lewis, sold at the Room. ADMITTANCE ONE SHILLING. CHESTER, PRINTED BY J. FLETCHER.