In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World boldly connects historical, artistic, and media elements to illuminate the enduring pursuit of Black freedom. This traveling exhibition fosters a global dialogue on the lingering effects of slavery and colonialism, inviting visitors to engage with the stories of Black freedom-makers across time. The Smithsonian Institute and museum partners will host this location-based experience internationally through 2028.

The exhibit comprises six distinct sections, housing 37 artifact cases and 11 AV interactions. Each section is designed for efficient travel, packing, and crating, encompassing over 1,200 individual scenic elements. Ravenswood Studio produced over 500 graphics, with half designed for easy replacement at each international venue to ensure language accessibility.

A striking feature of this project is the custom embroidery adorning several wall panels. Ravenswood created a hand-stitched aesthetic that resembles waves eventually connecting to sewn slave ships. Interwoven within these wave patterns are words like “violence,” “exploitation,” and “oppression,” stitched in seven languages.