The courtyard at Somerset House will become home to an impressive large-scale artwork by interdisciplinary artist Grada Kilomba called O Barco/The Boat. Working with themes of memory, trauma, gender and postcolonialism, Kilomba has crafted this 32-metre-long installation out of 140 charred blocks of wood aligned to outline the ‘hold’ of a historical European slave ship. O Barco/The Boat both invites visitors to explore and walk inside of ‘the boat’ and to reconsider the ideas and imagery often associated with a boat which may evoke images of glory, freedom and maritime ‘discoveries’ – ultimately, a false narrative. The static work will come to life with two free live performances of music and dance designed and directed by the artist, with musical production by award-winning writer and musician Kalaf Epalanga.