Black Lives Matter statue secretly pops up on Bristol plinth where slave trader once stood
A new sculpture of a Black Lives Matter protester has appeared overnight on the Bristol plinth once dominated by the infamous Edward Colston statue – and it’s stirring up a storm.
Surprise statue sparks fresh fury in Bristol
The figure, depicting protester Jen Reid, was installed in the early hours of Wednesday, July 15, exactly where the Colston statue was ripped down during last month’s furious march.
Jen Reid, captured in a now-iconic photo standing on the empty plinth, raised her fist in a Black Power salute – a spur of the moment act that has now been immortalised in bronze.
Artist Marc Quinn breaks silence: “No permission sought”
Renowned artist Marc Quinn confirmed the sculptural stunt is a temporary installation called A Surge of Power. But there’s a catch – nobody asked the city’s permission first.
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees swiftly responded on Twitter:
“I understand people want expression, but the statue has been put up without permission. Anything put on the plinth outside of the process we’ve put in place will have to be removed. The people of Bristol will decide its future.”
Jen Reid recalls her spontaneous act of defiance
Speaking about the moment that inspired the statue, Reid said:
“On my way home from the protests on 7 June, I felt an overwhelming impulse to climb onto the plinth, just completely driven to do it by the events which had taken place right before. When I was stood there on the plinth, and raised my arm in a Black Power salute, it was totally spontaneous, I didn’t even think about it.”
She added that her partnership with Quinn was about pushing inclusion into the spotlight through powerful art.
Will this bold move reignite Britain’s statue wars?
Quinn stressed this was no permanent fix:
“Jen and I are not putting this sculpture on the plinth as a permanent solution to what should be there – it’s a spark which we hope will help to bring continued attention to this vital and pressing issue.”
The surprise statue is sure to fan the flames of the ongoing debate over public monuments in the UK – a battle reignited when the Colston statue was hurled into Bristol Harbour and is now slated for a museum.
What do you reckon? Should the statue stay or go? Have your say below.
