Lessons of the Hour
Turner Prize-nominated artist Isaac Julien CBE RA brings his acclaimed film installation Lessons of the Hour – Frederick Douglass (2019) to Perth Museum. Presented through ARTIST ROOMS, Perth is the first venue on the tour and the only place to experience the work in Scotland.
The exhibition explores the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass, the influential American abolitionist, writer and human rights campaigner who travelled across Scotland in the 19th century. Alongside Julien’s work, visitors can discover Perthshire’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade and Douglass’s links to the region, with loaned artworks celebrating Black portraiture and the power of the image.
In 1846, Douglass delivered four speeches in Perth’s former City Hall, on the site where Perth Museum now stands, creating a unique connection between his story, Julien’s artwork and the museum today. ARTIST ROOMS is a joint programme by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland.
Date: 09/10/2026 to 09/10/2026
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Organisation: Perth Museum
Partner: ARTIST ROOMS
Type: In person
Location: Perth Museum, Saint John's Place, Perth, Perth and Kinross PH1 5SZ, GB
Free Event: no booking required