Saints
My Saints Series, Saint Peter Gordon
Art, poetry, history, & our Saints.
I offer my unique perspective on our historical, & ancestral leaders through my Saint Series. In 2019, I sat with the original trio of my Saint Series: Sarah Bartmaan, Peter Gordon, & the phenomena known as, The Triangular Trade. I was amazed at such rich cultural history that I was only learning later in my life. In some cases, such as with Sarah Bartmaan, I knew surface level details such as, the shape of her body, her ultimate "relocation" to Europe, and her early death. And in other cases, such as with Peter Gordon, I knew nothing, except a vague image of a stoic man with an exposed scarred back. But, even then, without any historical context, I would still be unable to identify him by name.
His name was Peter Gordon, and he freed himself from slavery in late 1862. By May of 1863, Gordon was sergeant in the African Corps during the siege of Port Hudson. In the time between Gordon escaping the plantation, and fighting in the Union Army as Sergeant, he'd made history as the first man to be photographed, and to be used as propaganda by media in America. When Gordon's photo began circulating in the northern hemisphere of America, it's haunting quality and his quiet dignity was enough to influence freed men and women, both black and white, to join the Union forces. Gordon joined the Union troops as a guide. During this time, he'd been kidnapped by the Confederates, & nearly beaten to death for the second time in his life. The first record of Peter Gordon's near death experience was in October of 1862. Gordon suffered severed injuries after being assaulted by a plantation overseer. The injuries were so severe that Gordon was unconscious for two months. During this time, Gordon's wounds were not being properly treated, and became infected. He nearly lost his mind, and had several violent episodes during his recovery. Once fully recovered, Gordon and a few other men decided to escape to Union Lines. He would travel 80 miles for ten days, covering his skin in his only possession for the journey: onions. These onions proved to be life saving for Gordon, and his companions as they used the scent to escape the senses of the hounds and the men that hunted them.
By now, most of us have seen the biopic on Gordon's life, Emancipation, starring Will Smith, which was released on December 9, 2022. I was thrilled to the point of tears when I heard about the production. But, I have not been able to bring myself to watch the film. I have been through the process of learning, feeling, internalizing, and artistically alchemizing Gordon's scars for years before the film's production. In 2019, I painted every scar until I could bare no more. And I placed flowers along these scars. It was my way of saying, "I read your story, dear Gordon. My back hurts, too. I hope this helps. I hope my flowers reach you."
Saint Peter Gordon, 2019. By: Amber "Ankhet Rumi" Williams
I painted two images of Peter Gordon. One acrylic on canvas, the other mixed media using the actual portrait of Gordon. My intent behind them both was to portray Gordon how I felt he deserved to be witnessed, as a Saint. I wrote these piece for him during the painting process.
My sincere desire is to see those like Peter Gordon be venerated in real time by those who his existence benefited the most, us, "black" peoples, especially in America. If you were to google Peter Gordon at the time that I first encountered him (2019), you'd have to search, "whipped Peter", to find any available information on him. I hoped that in my life time the word, "Saint", and the name, "Peter Gordon", would become synonymous.
In 2021, I revisited the portrait:
Saint Peter Gordon, 2021. By: Amber "Ankhet Rumi" Williams
I plan to re-paint Saint Peter Gordon, again, this year (2023).
The Saints Series
My work with the Saints Series continues to grow over years and now includes Saints like, Thomas Sankara, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, George Floyd, and Mother Tynetta.
Long Live the Saints
I will continue this blog in part 2 by including more information on the other 2 of the 3 original founding, "Saints Series", members: Saint Sarah Bartmaan, & The Triangular Flowers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of venerating our Saints.
