Permanent Windrush monument unveiled in Wolverhampton
The new artwork depicts the bow of the ship and a golden anchor
A new permanent monument of the Windrush ship has been unveiled in Wolverhampton, as a lasting tribute to the Caribbean community and its enduring contribution to the city.
The monument, created by artist Luke Perry, depicts the bow of the Windrush ship, an anchor and rising chains.
It features a poem, ‘A Monument is a Testament’, by poet Casey Bailey cut into the steel and painted imagery by artist Victoria Murrain that tell family stories of the Windrush generation.
It was unveiled in front of a packed crowed in St Patrick’s Park on Windrush Day yesterday, June 22.
"There are numerous pieces to Windrush and they're all very, very good, but there isn't any that actually represent it as the ship, this thing that kind of cut through the ocean that brought people here," said sculptor Luke.
"So this seemed like something that that worked very well in that regard, but also the, the heritage of this area is very, very manufacturing, so this is this is like big industrial piece, which acts not just as a sort of proud monument in itself, but as a platform for the two other artists that have worked on this, Casey Bailey, the poet, his work is on this side and Victoria Moran on the other side.
"And it in many ways allows that ability to be a vehicle like a canvas for other people's artwork as well, means that firstly, we've got some black artists working on it, which of course is incredibly important and but also that there's the opportunity for colour and you can't make an artwork about the Afro-Caribbean community without colour."
Artist Victoria added: "I just wanted to do something that was bold and eye catching, especially to children, because there was nothing like this when I was young."
She continued: " I hope it makes people smile. I hope it makes people go and learn about who the Windrush generation are as well.
"I think it's really important because, obviously I knew my parents and my grandparents, but there's people that are younger than me that didn't know their grandparents and don't really know anything about the Windrush generation - they only really heard about the scandal.
"So I think it's important for monuments to be there and people can go and learn about
The monument has been hailed by Independent Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster MBE who said: "The Windrush generations who came to this country contributed enormously to rebuilding Britain and their story deserves to be told, recognised and remembered.
"As Casey Bailey's poem reminds us, a monument is a testament. And this beautiful monument is a testament that Wolverhampton sees its Caribbean and Commonwealth communities, honours their contribution, and is committed to ensuring that legacy lives on for generations to come.
"There is still much more work to do to fully recognise and repair the harm done to the Windrush generations, but projects like this are an important step in the right direction. This is what it looks like when a community selflessly takes ownership of its own history, and I am proud to support it."
Developed collaboratively with representatives from the council, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and a wide range of community partners, the project has been shaped from the outset by local voices and lived experience.
Community organisations including Churches 4 Positive Change, SIAN Computers CIC, Black History and Heritage Wolverhampton and Black Heritage Walks Network CIC played a key role in shaping the monument’s purpose and meaning.
Councillor Jeszemma Howl, Cabinet Member for Governance and Digital, said: “This monument is a lasting testament to the Windrush Generation and the contribution they have made to Wolverhampton, and it will continue to carry that legacy forward for generations to come.
“It’s a powerful and permanent addition to our public spaces, and I would encourage everyone to visit, take time to reflect, and experience this special piece of art for themselves.”
The Monument has been designed to evolve over time. Names from a school poetry competition will be the first to be etched into the structure, with plans to add further names annually.
By 2048, marking 100 years since the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush, the monument aims to carry 100 names recognising individuals who have shaped the community.