Read more ...... I was delighted to see yesterday (15th July) that the plinth that had once held the statue of Edward Colston was resplendent with a statue of the Black Lives Matters prominent activist, Jen Reid, looking so beautiful and determined. It was very deflating and disappointing to find that she only lasted there for just over 24 hours. At least she wasn’t unceremoniously dumped in the river!
I guess that Marvin Rees, who is himself black, has to carry on with the plan for a more democratic decision about what should be done with the plinth or what statue should be put there on a more permanent basis.
I gather Marc Quinn, the sculptor, did not expect it to be permanently there and planned to sell it in aid of Black Lives Matter. Bristol City Council has the tricky task of finding a fitting replacement or, possibly, of removing the plinth and not having a statue there at all. If there is to be a competition, then it is clear that all sculptors who wish should be able to enter. Jen Reid will surely continue to be feted for her work in Black Lives Matter. The memory of her surprise appearance on the plinth will live on in memory and have its place in the history of Bristol and its struggle to face its horrendous slave-trading past. I was delighted to see yesterday (15th July) that the plinth that had once held the statue of Edward Colston was resplendent with a statue of the Black Lives Matters prominent activist, Jen Reid, looking so beautiful and determined. It was very deflating and disappointing to find that she only lasted there for just over 24 hours. At least she wasn’t unceremoniously dumped in the river!
I guess that Marvin Rees, who is himself black, has to carry on with the plan for a more democratic decision about what should be done with the plinth or what statue should be put there on a more permanent basis.
I gather Marc Quinn, the sculptor, did not expect it to be permanently there and planned to sell it in aid of Black Lives Matter. Bristol City Council has the tricky task of finding a fitting replacement or, possibly, of removing the plinth and not having a statue there at all. If there is to be a competition, then it is clear that all sculptors who wish should be able to enter. Jen Reid will surely continue to be feted for her work in Black Lives Matter. The memory of her surprise appearance on the plinth will live on in memory and have its place in the history of Bristol and its struggle to face its horrendous slave-trading past.