Culture

Inua Ellams launches Stained Metal project to explore empire and identity across Commonwealth nations

Saturday, 3 May 2025 12:15AM UTC

Acclaimed poet Inua Ellams, now Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, has initiated the Stained Metal project by sending his MBE medal to artists in Kenya, India, Canada, and Jamaica. Through this collaboration, Ellams explores themes of empire, identity, and legacy in a powerful cultural exchange unveiled during Africa Day celebrations at Manchester Museum.

In a notable celebration of culture and heritage, acclaimed poet and playwright Inua Ellams has launched his latest project, "Stained Metal," in conjunction with his new role as Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester. The event, co-hosted by Fuel, the Museum of West African Art, Creative Manchester, and Manchester Museum, highlights themes of empire, identity, and legacy through a unique artistic lens.

Inua Ellams, who received an MBE in 2023 for his services to literature, has devised a plan to send his medal to four distinct corners of the British Empire: Kenya, India, Canada, and Jamaica. In doing so, he aims to engage artists from these nations to respond to both a personal letter from him and the significance of the medal itself. This initiative has been positioned as a profound exploration of the ramifications of empire and the complexities of identity.

The launch event took place as part of the Manchester Museum Lates series, alongside a week-long celebration in honour of Africa Day. It commenced with introductory remarks from Esme Ward, the Director of Manchester Museum, and John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry and Director of Creative Manchester. Following this, Inua Ellams presented the inaugural reading of his letter to the commissioned artists and enriched the evening with his poetic works, culminating in an engaging dialogue with the audience.

The Equinox and Solstice event series, presented by Creative Manchester, aims to showcase innovative artists through collaborations across various cultural institutions, including the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester Museum, and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. These partnerships are intended to foster social, environmental, and individual well-being within the community, emphasizing the role of art as a vehicle for connection and dialogue.

The "Stained Metal" project not only marks a significant moment in Ellams' career but also represents an ongoing commitment to exploring the legacies of imperialism and the narratives that shape contemporary identities across the globe.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/creative-manchester-at-manchester-international-festival-2023 - This article discusses Creative Manchester's involvement in the Manchester International Festival 2023, highlighting events at venues like the Manchester Museum, aligning with the article's mention of the 'Manchester Museum Lates series' and Africa Day celebrations.
https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/whats-on/ - The Manchester Museum's events page lists exhibitions and activities, including 'Exploring Mixed Race Identities' and 'Belonging in Wild artist residency,' which are part of the museum's programming, supporting the article's reference to the museum's events.
https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/event/inua-ellams-yomi-sode/ - This event features Inua Ellams and Yomi Sode sharing work from their poetry collections, addressing themes of empire and identity, which aligns with the article's focus on these themes.
https://www.britishcouncil.org/programmes/creative-play/inua-ellams - An interview with Inua Ellams discussing his creative journey and influences, providing insight into his exploration of identity and heritage, as mentioned in the article.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Fuel-Reveals-Lineup-of-Autumn-2023-Programming-20230718 - This announcement details Fuel's autumn 2023 programming, including Inua Ellams' 'An Evening with an Immigrant,' supporting the article's mention of the event co-hosted by Fuel.
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/news/inua-ellams-and-ilayda-mcintosh-win-prestigious-playwriting-awards-at-the-28th-alfred-fagon-ceremony/ - This article reports on Inua Ellams receiving the Alfred Fagon Award for 'Once Upon A Time in Sokoto,' highlighting his recognition in 2024, as noted in the article.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE9mdElId19GRzFkMEJCeUp4XzZtc3h4RUYzNEs4SGJNeW9sOHhpWVBMSVVDSjI5NEVObXJkajllcXZld1hEaXNncjZoR184bEFueXI3QVBPbGhOR2hjaUZVS3pYbEFzRjMzWkNWOTJMOVpqTzFGX2d6a1VYdDVhdw?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en - Please view link - unable to able to access data

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: No dated events conflict with current timelines. The MBE reference (2023) and lack of outdated role references suggest recent activity. Press release-like structure implies freshness but requires direct verification.

Quotes check

Score: 4

Notes: No direct quotes from Ellams, Ward, or McAuliffe were verifiable online. Descriptions of remarks lack verbatim content to trace origin or originality.

Source reliability

Score: 5

Notes: Narrative originates from a Google News-linked article without independent publisher verification. Content aligns with typical event reporting but lacks corroboration from known fact-checked outlets.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: Claims align with Ellams' established work on identity/empire. Institutional partnerships (Manchester Museum, Creative Manchester) are verifiable through public records, enhancing plausibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: Project details and partnerships appear credible, but reliance on a single unverified source and absence of primary quotes limit certainty. Requires cross-referencing with Manchester Museum/Creative Manchester announcements.

Inua Ellams
Stained Metal
British Empire
Manchester Museum
Creative Manchester
Commonwealth
poetry
cultural heritage