Artist’s graphic novel captures 1919 race riots
A CITY artist has created a digital graphic novel capturing the historical racial conflict of the Cardiff 1919 race riots
Kyle Legall, a Welsh artist from Butetown, has created an illustrated, digital graphic novel which brings accounts of the Cardiff race riots to life.
Cardiff 1919: Riots Re-drawn recreates the atmosphere, people and places involved and violent events of the time.
The project comes at a time when demonstrations and protests by millions calling for change against racial injustice.
More than 100 years ago, the same racial injustices were highlighted on a smaller scale – bringing demonstrations and unrest to the streets of Cardiff.
On June 11, 1919, Cardiff was plunged into four days and nights of violent mayhem that left three dead, and buildings wrecked and burnt, in what the Western Mail called “An amazing orgy of pistol firing, window smashing, and skirmishes between white men and coloured men.”
Now, 101 years on, Kyle, a multi-disciplinary artist and Welsh animator, has illustrated the events of the riots, pieced together from reports in newspapers, following the dynamic ebb and flow of the rioting.
For the artist, the project is both a personal and a professional project.
His family experienced the riots, while he also worked as emerging director on Storm 2, National Theatre Wales’ 2018 show based on the riots.
“Cardiff 1919 Race Riots was an explosive period for the people of Cardiff, but more particularly, the families that lived in Tiger Bay,” said Kyle.
“The Race Riots are a lived experience within my family and is part of our folklore.
“When I think of the riots, my community and family 100 years ago, having had to defend their right to be in Cardiff, have families and work for a living, fills me with disgust and then pride.
“The fact that after fighting in the war, the people of Tiger Bay had to fight again for their lives, families and homes. They had to fight against racism.
“Being brought up in Tiger Bay, I understand our unique heritage and identity. Black and white people living in peace, this place is what the future will look like. This is what the residents of Butetown fought to protect and this was what the racist rioters wanted to destroy. Tiger Bay ultimately became a part of the make up and fabric of Cardiff.”
Kyle added: “The Cardiff 1919 Race Riots was inspired by my time as an emerging director with National Theatre Wales. While listening to the actors, I started doodling little illustrations of the events and the faces, because the dialogue painted such detail in my imagination.
“I was encouraged by the directors and producers of NTW to expand on my artwork, to take it to another level.”
The result will be unveiled today when Cardiff 1919: Riots Re-drawn launches.
■ You can explore the project via: www. cardiff1919.wales