Arise America: Afrofuturist Slave Rebel Aponte

In 1812, Jose Antonio Aponte was a free black man working as a carpenter in Havana. He was also a prolific painter. On March 14, three men of color launched a slave rebellion, burning down a number of plantations before the revolt was put down. Aponte was identified as the ring leader, even though he was not among the men apprehended. When authorities searched his home they found a leather bound book containing a series of paintings. According to trial transcripts, the images depicted battle scenes between armed men of color and white men. Aponte was convicted and beheaded. ARISE NEWS spoke with NYU Historian Ada Ferrer and Artist Édouard Duval-Carrié about Aponte, the 19th century Afrofuturist and the visions that ultimately cost him his life. The pair created a traveling art exhibit currently on view at NYU’s King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center (KJCC) inspired by Aponte’s story. @Adita_Ferrer #DigitalAponte