I have a new poem exhibited at Paxton House‘s Caribbean Connections / Sugar and Slavery updated exhibition, titled Martine Bewitches Goat-Head Table 237 Years Before You arrive at Paxton. The poem is exhibited with works from Grenadian Descendants (London) of all ages and Edinburgh Caribbean Association (ECA) members, Dr Charmaine Blaize, Trudy Philip, Leilani Taneus-Miller, and myself.
Palimpsest exhibition
Until 31st October, Hayloft, Paxton House: Palimpsest, is a new body of work by Grenadian-born, New York-based artist and filmmaker Billy Gérard Frank. Building on Frank’s Venice Biennale work, Palimpsest reimagines hidden histories and gives voice to those long overlooked. It is the centrepiece of a wider programme of work (detailed above) and series of events, including:
- Tours – various dates (£8.30+)
- Arts & crafts workshops for kids – various dates (£10+)
- 4th October 2025, 13:30 – Scots in the Grenadines on the eve of revolution with Dr Désha Osborne (free)
- 29th August 2025, 13:30 – Weaving the Uncanny writing workshop with Jeda Pearl (£20)
Poem: Martine bewitches goat-head table 237 years before you arrive at Paxton
Notes on the poem
Martine was a woman who was enslaved by Penelope and Ninian Home, owners of Paxton House in Berwick, Scotland; and Waltham and Paraclete plantations in Grenada in the 18th Century. Martine travelled to Paxton House with the Homes from Grenada in 1788 and laboured as Penelope’s maid for around two years. Martine was then due to return to Grenada, but no-one could be spared to accompany her to the ship. We do not know what happened to Martine after this, though there is no record of her boarding the ship. In 1788, with the ruling of Knight v Wedderburn case, slavery was made illegal on Scottish soil.
‘Goat-head table’ refers to the above sideboard in Paxton House, carved from Jamaican mahogany circa. 1774-76 by Thomas Chippendale Senior. Mahogany cutting, felled predominantly by enslaved Africans, made space for more plantations. The vast majority of the island’s native mahogany was removed during this time – read more about Caribbean deforestation during transatlantic slavery.
Papa Bois is the father of the forest – a half-man, half-goat shapeshifting figure. He’s present in the folklore of Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia, and Grenada – read about Papa Bois.
During Grenadian carnival, Jab Jab parade during Jouvay, dressed in black oil or shiny paint, wearing goat horns on their heads, red tongues, and carrying thick broken chains symbolising freedom. Watch a video about Jab Jab.
With thanks to Lisa Williams, Dr Désha A Osborne, Jacob Ross, and Paxton House.
