Nigerian-born artist brings free exhibition on migration to Dudley Library

A painting by Abraham Babajide Cole, featured at the exhibition at Dudley Library.

To mark Black History Month, Dudley Library has set up a free exhibition running throughout October.

Titled “Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths”, the exhibition explores how displacement and migration shape personal and shared experiences of identity and belonging.

The exhibition features work by a Nigerian-born multidisciplinary artist Abraham Babajide Cole, who moved from Nigeria to Dudley, experiencing the challenges of migration first-hand.

“Moving to England was not an easy journey,” the artist said. “Dudley was the first place I lived after arriving from Africa, so holding this exhibition here feels significant.

“It’s a public space where people from all backgrounds can engage with art and stories they might not usually encounter.”

Abraham highlights the importance of unity and shared experience within migration.

“This project showed me the power that comes from people with different backgrounds, ideas and experiences coming together. Migration is not only about displacement. It is also about people learning from one another and shaping the future together.”

[embed]In the video, the artist discusses the themes behind the exhibition.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council said that the exhibition runs alongside the Dudley History Festival and aims to encourage reflection on migration within the local community.

Library manager Sharon Whitehouse said the exhibition offered an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Black and migrant communities to the borough.

“This promises to be an engaging exhibition that invites visitors to reflect on the experiences of migration and identity,” she said. “We are delighted to be hosting it at Dudley Library.”

“Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths” will be on display throughout October, with an official launch taking place on Wednesday 1 October from 6pm to 8pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public.