In Duppies of the Deep, Vince Fraser reimagines ancestral spirits, or “Duppies,”* of those lost in the Middle Passage. Through an immersive, mythological underwater environment, Fraser presents these spirits not as ghosts of the past but as powerful, ethereal beings, blending mythology and historical trauma to celebrate the resilience, strength, and spirit of the African diaspora.

The underwater setting symbolises both loss and rebirth. The sea serves as a medium that connects past and present, life and death, and allows viewers to engage with these ancestral spirits in a space that is surreal, yet deeply rooted in cultural memory.

Fraser’s storytelling brings the Duppies to life with melancholy and profound wisdom, guiding visitors through a space where ancient voices are felt in each wave and glint of light. The haunting visuals invite viewers to contemplate overlooked or silenced stories and challenge dominant historical narratives. Fraser uses surreal elements as metaphors to amplify the complexity and depth of these untold stories, inviting viewers to engage with the subject matter in an abstract, emotional, and deeply personal way. He seeks to channel the weight and significance of the experience without it becoming overly didactic; his ultimate ambition is to show art as a powerful tool for change and reclamation.

*Originating in Central Africa, the duppy is a key figure in Bantu folklore. It is believed to be either the manifestation of a deceased person’s soul, appearing in human or animal form, or an evil supernatural entity. This belief was carried to the Caribbean through the transatlantic slave trade, where it blended with other cultural traditions. Duppies are central in Caribbean folklore, deeply woven into the region's cultural heritage and storytelling traditions.