How Statues of Black Women Are Reshaping Public Spaces Worldwide

Across the globe, monumental sculptures honoring Black women are reshaping public spaces and sparking vital conversations about representation, history, and power. These works, created by artists committed to challenging traditional narratives, celebrate both historical figures and everyday women, asserting their rightful place in the cultural landscape.

Thomas J Price's Celebrations of the Everyday

British sculptor Thomas J Price has installed several statues that depict anonymous Black women in everyday attire, aiming to challenge conventional ideas of monumentality:

• "Grounded in the Stars", a 12-foot bronze statue in New York's Times Square, portrays a fictional Black woman in casual clothing, prompting discussions about race and representation in public art.

• "Moments Contained", located in Rotterdam's Station Square, stands nearly four meters tall and has become one of the most photographed monuments in the Netherlands, while also igniting debates about identity and public commemoration. 

• "Reaching Out", installed at Three Mills Green in London, features a Black woman engrossed in her phone, symbolizing the everyday presence and agency of Black women in contemporary society. 

Simone Leigh's Monumental Tributes

American artist Simone Leigh has created powerful sculptures that draw from African and African American cultural histories:

• "Brick House", a 16-foot-tall bronze bust installed at the University of Pennsylvania, combines architectural and human elements to honor the strength and resilience of Black women. 

Honoring Historical Figures

Several statues commemorate notable Black women who have made significant contributions to society:

• "I Am Queen Mary" in Copenhagen honors Mary Thomas, a leader of the 1878 labor revolt in St. Croix. The statue, created by Jeannette Ehlers and La Vaughn Belle, symbolizes resistance and Denmark's colonial history. 

• Mary McLeod Bethune's statue in Washington, D.C.'s Statuary Hall recognizes her work as an educator and civil rights leader, marking the first state-commissioned statue of an African American woman in the U.S. Capitol. 

• Betty Campbell's statue in Cardiff, Wales, celebrates the country's first Black headteacher and her contributions to education and community development. 

• The Mothers of Gynecology Monument in Montgomery, Alabama, created by Michelle Browder, honors Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy—enslaved women subjected to medical experimentation—highlighting their overlooked contributions to medical history.

Community Engagement and Response

These statues have elicited a range of responses:

• In Rotterdam, "Moments Contained" has been both celebrated for its representation and critiqued by some who question its significance. 

• In Bexhill-on-Sea, UK, Tschabalala Self's sculpture of a seated Black woman faced vandalism but was restored with community support, underscoring the public's investment in inclusive representation. 

These monumental works serve not only as tributes to Black women's contributions but also as catalysts for dialogue about equity, history, and the evolving narratives within public spaces.

Listen to what folks on the street have to say about the statue in Times Square here.