In 2021, the national award-winning Power of Stories at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, brought together film costumes, historic museum objects and local stories to create a display exploring storytelling and identity. Co-curated with the Black community, the exhibition included three iconic costumes from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), which were woven into a patchwork of storytelling traditions from across time and place.
The outfits of T’Challa, Shuri and Okoye featured in the ground-breaking film were displayed alongside Marvel comics, historic museum objects and local stories.
From folklore to fake news, people have told stories for thousands of years. From music to movies, carvings to cartoons, the exhibition asked how the stories we know shape the way we see the world.
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The three outfits toured Suffolk from March 2022 to February 2023, offering more people the chance to see them and learn about local Black history. Power of Stories was re-imagined at each location - Moyse's Hall Museum, the Food Museum and Britten Pears Arts (Snape Maltings) - and opened up new opportunities for staff to develop inclusive practices.
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Find out out about the remarkable story behind the exhibition, the awards and its social impact.
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