Dr. Dampe’s Anniversary
I created this comics poster for an exhibition at the gallery Palivaren on Christiansø, happening 27th of July - 1st of August 2020. The project was supported by the ministry of cultures grant for summer activities 2020.
The poster tells the story of philosopher and political activist, Jacob Jacobsen Dampe, who in 1820 was arrested for speaking out against the monarchy and calling for a constitution. Dampe spent 20 years imprisoned and in isolation, 15 of those years on remote Christiansø. In 1849 Denmarks first democratic constitution was signed — It was the very thing Dr. Dampe had been fighting for, but now he and his ideas had been forgotten. He died in 1867.
I wanted to highlight this story on the 200 year anniversary for Dr. Dampes arrest. I wanted to remind myself and others that democracy does not happen by itself, and what is lawful is not always right.
On site of the exhibition I drew portraits of the visitors on a preprinted background – 15-30 minutes per portrait. Here’s a selection of patient subjects.