Abeng – A Sign of Resistance: The Tony Russel Archive

Rediscovering a Master of Caribbean Photography at the Citadel Palace

The Exhibition Gallery of the Citadel Palace in Cascais presents “Abeng – A Sign of Resistance: The Tony Russell Archive”, an exhibition developed from the archive of Jamaican photographer Tony Russell. Running until 6 September 2026, the initiative is promoted by the Fundação D. Luís I in partnership with Castanea Collective and with the support of the Municipality of Cascais. The opening takes place on 23 April at 6:00 p.m., in the presence of the photographer.

Featuring more than 70 photographs arranged into thematic sections, the exhibition showcases Russell’s work in Jamaica during the period of independence and the Cold War, as well as in the Andean region of Venezuela. It also traces the journey of his archive until its arrival in Portugal. The collection is the result of decades of work shaped by radical choices and challenging circumstances, and of an archive that the photographer carried with him across multiple geographies and political contexts undergoing transformation.

Today, the protection, preservation, and promotion of Tony Russell’s photographic archive is the mission of the Castanea Collective, formed by the Portuguese artists and filmmakers Tiago Serpa, Rogério Queiroz, and Tiago Brandão. Recognizing Russell’s archive as a body of work of exceptional historical and cultural value, they believe its significance should be shared with the world. This exhibition is the first outcome of a lengthy process of cataloguing and research and is, to date, the most extensive presentation of Russell’s work.