Honour of Statues
2021

It’s understood that statues should convey honour, yet so many around the UK portray figures of those who supported or profited from racial violence and segregation.
On the 7th June 2020, the statue of Edward Colston was pulled down in protest in Bristol city centre. This cast a spotlight on the statues we walk past every day and what they represent.

Ayesha is a black female GB Fencer who has represented England in the Commonwealth and Senior British Championships, she has her ambition set on the Olympics. We explored the symbolism behind the sword and the use of plinths both in the presentation of statues and winners within sports. Ayesha and I decided to make images celebrating her strength, ambition and achievements, displaying her in statuesque poses. History has shown us statues that represent what people in the past chose to celebrate and memorialise, this piece demonstrates the legacies we celebrate today.