In 1995 Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed, alongside eight colleagues, for crimes he did not commit. They were campaigning against Shell’s exploitation and environmental destruction of the Ogoni land which in 2015, remained unchecked. Peckham is at the heart of London’s Nigerian and Ogoni diaspora so to coincide with this important anniversary Peckham Platform commissioned Michael to work with local people on a creative response.
In June 2015, the global Action Saro-Wiwa tour (organised by Platform London) brought Sokari Douglas Camp’s Battle Bus to Peckham Square – the living memorial created by the Nigerian artist in 2005. The Battle Bus was a large-scale mobile interactive steel sculpture topped by oil drums and etched with the words of one of Saro-Wiwa’s final speeches.
Working with Theatre Peckham, McMillan created a performance piece that used The Battle Bus as a site and took place on the square on Saturday 27 June. It triggered memories for Nigerians and local people in Peckham of Ken Saro-Wiwa as a symbol for ordinary people resisting oppression and fighting for freedom across Africa and the world.
For the Doing nothing is not an option exhibition, wallpaper made from large-scale photographs by Sam Roberts taken inside and outside The Battle Bus lined the gallery, evoking a sense in visitors of being present in the sculpture.
Kiosks displayed materials form Nigerian shops and communities in Peckham including food and ‘Nollywood’ videos such as ’70s sitcom ‘Basi & Co’ which was written by Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Film of the performance of McMillan’s work on Peckham Square and a montage of passers-by reading passages from Saro-Wiwa’s final speech ‘I Accuse’ inside The Battle Bus was projected into the gallery, creating multiple layers that reflected the impact of The Battle Bus’ presence once it departed on its journey to its permanent home in the Niger Delta.
