London recently unveiled the design for its first monument dedicated to victims of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The monument, titled “The Wake,” is a 23-foot-tall bronze sculpture designed by Chicago-born artist Khaleb Brooks. Brooks, whose ancestors were enslaved in Mississippi, was selected from a shortlist of six proposed designs for the memorial.
The sculpture will be located at West India Quay, a historical site where goods produced by enslaved individuals, such as sugar, once entered the United Kingdom. The design of “The Wake” is inspired by the cowrie shell, a symbol of the plight of enslaved Africans. The monument will feature smaller fiberglass cowrie shells where passersby can sit, creating an interactive experience for visitors.
Brooks hopes that “The Wake” will serve as a reminder of the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on all individuals, regardless of their background. The memorial will include inscriptions of the names of enslaved people, as well as blank spaces for those who remain unidentified. The design also includes sculptures of sugar loaves at the entry points, representing the enslaved labor behind the sugar industry.
The unveiling of “The Wake” comes in the wake of the removal of a statue of Robert Milligan, an 18th-century merchant and enslaver, from a nearby location in 2020. Mayor Sadiq Khan allocated funding for the monument as part of an initiative to commemorate the victims of the slave trade and encourage conversations about Britain’s past. The sculpture will be accompanied by educational programming to engage Londoners in reflecting on their city’s history.
Brooks, who was previously an artist-in-residence at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from the history of slavery. Through honoring, grieving, and healing the legacy of slavery, he believes that society can move towards a more inclusive and just future.
The completion of “The Wake” is scheduled for 2026, marking a significant step in recognizing the tragic history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in London. The monument will stand as a testament to the perseverance and strength of enslaved individuals and the African diaspora, inviting visitors to engage with the legacy of slavery in a meaningful and impactful way.
