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PRESS RELEASE 3 November, 2005

Whitechapel Art Gallery: 3–10 November 10-6pm[1]
Curzon Soho: 7–10 November 1pm and 3pm[1]
City Hall: (2nd floor gallery) 23 - 10 November 10- 6pm[1]

On November 10th 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni colleagues were executed by the Nigerian state for campaigning against the devastation of the Niger Delta by oil companies, especially Shell and Chevron.

Ten years on, the issues Ken Saro-Wiwa fought and died for remain as urgent as ever.

Refining Memory – a short film of 29-minutes by artist-filmmakers Andrew Conio and Judy Price – shows the diverse and creative ways in which five artists have responded to a brief for London’s Living Memorial to Ken Saro-Wiwa [2]. Refining Memory also draws the viewer into an exploration of the underlying forces and circumstances that have led to the destruction of the Niger Delta and the execution of Saro-Wiwa and his eight colleagues.

The film explores issues of loss, memory, memorial and representation, and how artistic practice engages with circumstances that globalisation makes part of the fabric our everyday lives. In addition to this central theme, Refining Memory explores the role of art in repositioning these issues firmly back into the centre of our relationship with the world.

Time Out Film critic Gareth Evans said, At once a deeply committed, wide-ranging celebration of a remarkable man's extraordinary legacy and a quietly damning examination of appalling abuses on so many levels in the Niger Delta. What gives the film real power is its understanding that what is happening in the Niger Delta both affects and implicates us all.

The film will also be shown at the Remember Saro-Wiwa Season events at Amnesty International’s Human Rights Action Centre on 8th November and in the Purcell Rooms at Queen Elizabeth Hall on 9th November. Additionally, the film is being screened at events hosted by the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria over the weekend.

Alongside the film, the maquettes of the proposals by artists/activists Sokari Douglas Camp, Siraj Izhar, Emmanuel Jegede, Emily Johns, and collaboration Frances Newman/Jeff Jackson/Knott Architects are being exhibited at City Hall’s gallery until 10th November.

A limited edition DVD containing the film plus an interview with Ken Wiwa (jr) is available from 4th November from PLATFORM: £6 including postage and packing.

This film was commissioned by project co-ordinators PLATFORM[3] and is supported by Arts Council England.

Notes to editors:
[1] Whitechapel Art Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1, the film will be screened in a loop, from 3 November to 10 November. Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftsbury Ave, London W1, the film will be screened twice daily in the bar at 1pm and 3pm from Monday 7 November to Thursday 10 November inclusive. City Hall, Queens Walk, London SE1, the film is currently being screened in a loop in the second floor gallery daily until 10 November.

[2] The Remember Saro-Wiwa project made an open call for ideas in March 05 for proposals for a Living Memorial to Ken Saro-Wiwa in London. 5 proposals were short listed in July and the wining proposal will be announced on 10 November at 11am at a special commemoration ceremony on London’s South Bank.

[3] www.platformlondon.org

Editors: Andrew Conio, Megan Fraser and Judy Price
Camera: Andrew Conio, Megan Fraser and Judy Price
Archive footage: Greenpeace, FoE, WWF, Glen Ellis and Janos Jersh
Music by Ross Lambert and Eddie Prevost © 2005 (PRS)
Script by Andrew Conio
Produced by Judy Price
Directed by Andrew Conio and Judy Price

Remember Saro-Wiwa is a coalition of organisations and individuals initiated and co-ordinated by PLATFORM, including: African Writers Abroad, Amnesty International, Christian Aid, Diversity Art Forum, English PEN, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch, Mayor of London, Minorities of Europe and Spinwatch. Remember Saro-Wiwa is a partner of Africa05.

Financial supporters for the whole project to date include: Arts Council England, The Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation, Greenpeace, The Lipman-Miliband Trust, The Roddick Foundation, The Staples Trust, The Tedworth Trust, PLATFORM, and private individuals.

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