Restoration work has been carried out on a memorial to enslaved Africans transported on Lancaster-owned ships as part of the Transatlantic slave trade.
The Captured African sculpture, a poignant piece of Lancaster’s history on St George’s Quay, has been disassembled, cleaned and parts such as mosaics fixed and renewed to ensure its preservation for future generations.
It was commissioned and installed in 2005 as part of the Slave Trade Art Memorial project (STAMP) and remains the only public sculpture to memorialise involvement in the slave trade at a quayside.
Designed to encourage people to pause and reflect on the human cost of transatlantic slavery and its legacies, it was created by artist Kevin Dalton-Johnson with input from local young people, who made the iron figures of the captured Africans.
Mr Dalton-Johnson, who is of Jamaican descent, moved away from traditional depictions of slaves in chains and chose to create a sculpture reflecting a cross-section of a ship carrying enslaved Africans at the bottom, with layers of commodities, such as sugar and cotton they produced, stacked above them.
Councillor Martin Bottoms, Lancaster City Council cabinet member for Arts, Culture and Festivals, said: “The sculpture represents many of the enslaved individuals transported through the port of Lancaster during the 18th century and stands as a sombre and powerful reminder of the city's involvement in the slave trade.
The Transatlantic slave trade lasted for more than 300 years until British involvement was banned in 1807. Slavery was eventually abolished in most Britain colonies in 1833.
In the 1700s around 200 ships sailed out of Lancaster bound for Africa and it is thought that Lancaster merchants were responsible for the forced transportation of around 29,000 African men, women and children across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.
A sail on the side of the sculpture incorporates the numbers of enslaved Africans aboard the ships which docked at Lancaster’s port.
Morecambe FC crisis: National League threatens "further sanctions" amid fears for future of club
Family's loving tribute to Lancaster man as police continue murder probe two years on
INTERVIEW: Residents step up campaign against new homes on Green Belt near A6
Complaints over "troubling" lack of mobile phone signal in central Lancaster
Comp offers chance to be part of Morecambe Poetry Festival
Morecambe Baylight festival taking a break but will return in 2027
Campaign under way to bring back pharmacy for Morecambe residents
Lancaster artist and musician opens exhibition to keep murdered journalist's name alive
Lancaster tattoo artist reaches milestone on 4,000 mile trek for Palestine
Tickets on sale for Beyond Radio's first ever Big Night Out
Lancaster hospice boss calls for more funding help after £380K government cash boost
INTERVIEW: New novel set in Lancaster captures thrill of Acid House and 'Second Summer of Love'
Morecambe FC Crisis: High Court ultimatum as shareholders give owner 48 hour deadline to sell
Morecambe FC crisis: Pre-season match "will go ahead" amid dismay over club's future
Bold vision for future of Morecambe wins major award and £20K
PHOTOS: Festival's 10th birthday announced after weekend of Viking fun in Heysham
PHOTOS: Morecambe Rides Again for great cause on scooter weekend
Kites fly high over Morecambe as festival-goers brave the rain
Police appeal after stolen car used in burglaries in Morecambe
New auction house and antiques showroom planned for Morecambe town centre
