Memorial to victims of transatlantic slavery
On the morning of the ceremony, The Wake by Khaleb Brooks was announced as the selected artwork for the Memorial to Victims of Transatlantic Slavery.
The new memorial is the first of its scale and profile in the UK. And will be in West India Quay in London Docklands – an area whose history is closely linked with transatlantic slavery.
Inspired by the shape of a cowrie shell, The Wake represents the perseverance, prosperity and beauty rooted in Africa and African diasporic heritage.
Cowrie shells hold cultural and spiritual significance. But became a stark symbol of slavery and the exploitation of human life as currency in the trade of enslaved people.
In March 2023, the Mayor of London committed £500,000 to develop a memorial initiative.
The memorial will include a permanent artwork, satellite sites, and a learning and engagement programme.
