"To Be Sold" Exhibition

Enslaved Labor and Slave Trading in the Antebellum South

The African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) presents the exhibition, "To Be Sold: Enslaved Labor and Slave Trading in the Antebellum South"

This poignant exhibition delves into the harrowing realities of the domestic slave trade in the American South, drawing inspiration from Margaret Seidler’s revelatory book, Payne-ful Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth, and the evocative artworks of John W. Jones. Through a compelling blend of historical documents and visual art, the exhibition sheds light on the human stories behind the commodification of enslaved individuals, offering a profound exploration of a painful chapter in South Carolina and American history.         

"A Likely Girl." Painting by John W. Jones.	City Gazette. Charleston, South Carolina. 1824.

Central to the exhibition are authentic 19th-century slave advertisements, meticulously researched by Seidler, a Charleston native who bravely confronts her family's legacy of three generations of enslavers. These historical artifacts are brought to life through the vivid paintings of John W. Jones, who reimagines the lives and identities of those enslaved. Jones's artwork, known for its historical accuracy and emotional depth, serves as a powerful counter-narrative to the sanitized depictions of slavery, emphasizing the resilience and humanity of the enslaved.

The exhibit, "To Be Sold: Enslaved Labor and Slave Trading in the Antebellum South," allows visitors to have a transformative experience of the past in deeply moving and educational way while fostering a space for reflection and dialogue.

Margaret Seidler	John W. Jones

Author Margaret Seidler
Margaret Seidler is a retired Organization & Leadership Development consultant and author from Charleston, South Carolina. Her book, Payne-ful Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth, chronicles her journey of uncovering her family's involvement in the slave trade. Through extensive research and introspection, Seidler shares the uncomfortable truths of her ancestry, aiming to contribute to a broader understanding of Charleston's racial history. Her work has been featured on platforms such as The Chavis Chronicles, where she discusses the importance of acknowledging and reconciling with the past to bridge today's racial divides.

Painter and Illustrator John W. Jones
John W. Jones is a self-taught American artist from Columbia, South Carolina. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970, he served in Vietnam, where he became an Army Illustrator. Jones gained acclaim for his series Confederate Currency: The Color of Money, which examines the portrayal of enslaved individuals on Confederate banknotes, highlighting how enslavers used these images to normalize and propagate the institution of slavery. His work often juxtaposes historical documents with vivid paintings, offering a critical lens on America's past. Jones's art has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is part of several public and private collections, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site.

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