"Art and artists have the power to make change and for this reason we want to share the prize as a statement of equity for the works we are all invested in making and those they give voice to… We believe that our cultural contribution takes on increased resonance, despite the difficulty of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Our work stems from a multiplicity of perspectives that we cannot privilege, one over the other... We acknowledge the history of the award and also in particular Derek Jarman’s long term collaborations with artists and communities and his love and care for those he worked with and amongst. He formed allyships across time, genres and people. In this spirit we wish to share the award. In these times of turbulence and trauma we must build change and stand in solidarity with each other and those we represent. This gesture aligns with new directions for living and working and reflects the artists and values FLAMIN and the judges have selected in 2020."  The Film London Jarman Award 2020 winning artists

The Silver Wave by Michelle Williams Gamaker will be on display in the World Cultures gallery until 21 March 2021. The 12-minute film, commissioned by RAMM, is inspired by objects from the World Cultures collection, and by the incredible story of Ada Blackjack; an Iñupiak woman and the only surviving member of an expedition to Wrangel Island in the Arctic in 1921.

Ada was employed as a seamstress and cook for four explorers, who hoped to claim the island for the British Empire. However, the four men fell ill and eventually died or disappeared in an attempt to seek help, leaving Ada alone on the island. Moved by the account, Michelle Williams Gamaker obtained a copy of Ada’s diary from a library in Alaska; she has used excerpts from the text along with objects from the museum to tell Ada’s story.

rammuseum.org.uk/news/the-silver-wave-michelle-williams-gamaker/