Emancipation Statues

ARE THESE STATUES AN APPROPRIATE SYMBOL OF EMANCIPATION?

Redemption Song Statue: Pride or Shame? AFIWI CARIBBEAN.com

A 3,320-pound bronze sculpture called Redemption Song unveiled on July 31, 2003 in Kingston, Jamaica has become the latest controversy on the island. The statue portrays two former slaves, a male and a female standing in a pool of water with their eyes looking towards the sky. Why the controversy? Both statues are naked as the day they were born and the man who stands about 11 feet tall has a penis that...well...stands tall on its own. Some criticize what they observe as inappropriate European features chiseled in the woman's face.

Emblazoned on the base of the statue are the words of Marcus Garvey put to music by Bob Marley in the song that gave the statue its name "none but ourselves can free our mind." Those who support the statue suggest the controversy over its nakedness is evidence that Jamaicans may not yet be free from the mental slavery that Garvey and Marley discussed. Many of Europe's most famous sculptures are in the nude and are considered works of art.

Does size matter? It appears that the focal point over the debate has become the man's penis, or to be more specific the size of it. Laura Facey-Cooper, the Jamaican sculptor who created the statue says "I did not particularly enlarge that part of the male body to the exclusion of anything else. He has very strong muscles in his torso and buttocks. Both the male and female are very well-endowed in every possible way."

Several Jamaicans are calling for the Patterson administration to remove the statue from the newly named Emancipation Park in which it stands. This would not be the first time a statue has been recalled in Jamaica. During the 1980's sculptor Christopher Gonzales was commissioned to create a statue to honor the late Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley. After it's completion the government, then led by Edward Seaga decided that it was not what they were looking for and commissioned Alvin Mariott to erect another which now stands in front of Jamaica's National Stadium. Gonzales's statue spent much of the 20 years since in the National Gallery before its recent placement at the Island Village in Ocho Rios.

At a recent concert in the Emancipation Park given in honor Jamaica's beloved Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverly) popular Deejay Tony Rebel pleaded to Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson "Mister prime minister, take down the naked people and put up a statue of Miss Lou instead." Many of the over 10,000 in attendance cheered in support. In a release by the sculptor, Laura Facey Cooper upon the release of the statue she stated "It is my hope that our Jamaican people will be moved by Redemption Song." She appears to have gotten her wish...what do you think?

View other Caribbean Emancipation Statues

Signed: Dr. Alfred Sangster with:
Hyacinth Bennett, Yvonne Coke, Prof. Carolyn Cooper, Barbara Blake Hannah, Rev. Peter Garth, Rev. Artnel Henry, Rev. Al Miller, Bishop Peter Morgan, Rev. Earl Thames, Rev. Fitzroy Thomas.

	emancipation park statues action group
Caribbean Emancipation Statues		Shame and Scandal
ABOUT US The EMANCIPATION PARK STATUES ACTION GROUP represent a wide cross section of Jamaicans both at home and abroad who feel that the concept of the Emancipation Park was a great idea by the NHT and the Prime Minister who gave it his blessing. We also feel that the statues at the Emancipation Park are inappropriate. We are committed to a campaign to have them removed. We believe that the statues are inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. The statues have been fundamentally divisive on an issue that should unite all Jamaicans 2. The statues are humanly debasing and are out of scale in a public place. They have been described as being “blatantly pornographic”. They undermine any values and attitudes campaign 3. The statues are distracting to the themes of Freedom and Emancipation. 4. The theme of emancipation is not properly displayed. The two vacuous faces gazing into the skies gives no sense of liberation, emancipation or of a victorious spirit. The struggle of the early National Heroes does not come out. 5. The role of Christians in the Emancipation struggle and who view the statues with disgust has been disparaged. It is also of interest to note that the present statues seem to have received the final seal of artistic approval by appearing in Playboy Magazine (Feb. 2004 Issue)!! Read the full story	ARE THESE STATUES AN APPROPRIATE SYMBOL OF EMANCIPATION? Redemption Song Statue: Pride or Shame? AFIWI CARIBBEAN.com A 3,320-pound bronze sculpture called Redemption Song unveiled on July 31, 2003 in Kingston, Jamaica has become the latest controversy on the island. The statue portrays two former slaves, a male and a female standing in a pool of water with their eyes looking towards the sky. Why the controversy? Both statues are naked as the day they were born and the man who stands about 11 feet tall has a penis that...well...stands tall on its own. Some criticize what they observe as inappropriate European features chiseled in the woman's face. Emblazoned on the base of the statue are the words of Marcus Garvey put to music by Bob Marley in the song that gave the statue its name "none but ourselves can free our mind." Those who support the statue suggest the controversy over its nakedness is evidence that Jamaicans may not yet be free from the mental slavery that Garvey and Marley discussed. Many of Europe's most famous sculptures are in the nude and are considered works of art. Does size matter? It appears that the focal point over the debate has become the man's penis, or to be more specific the size of it. Laura Facey-Cooper, the Jamaican sculptor who created the statue says "I did not particularly enlarge that part of the male body to the exclusion of anything else. He has very strong muscles in his torso and buttocks. Both the male and female are very well-endowed in every possible way." Several Jamaicans are calling for the Patterson administration to remove the statue from the newly named Emancipation Park in which it stands. This would not be the first time a statue has been recalled in Jamaica. During the 1980's sculptor Christopher Gonzales was commissioned to create a statue to honor the late Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley. After it's completion the government, then led by Edward Seaga decided that it was not what they were looking for and commissioned Alvin Mariott to erect another which now stands in front of Jamaica's National Stadium. Gonzales's statue spent much of the 20 years since in the National Gallery before its recent placement at the Island Village in Ocho Rios. At a recent concert in the Emancipation Park given in honor Jamaica's beloved Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverly) popular Deejay Tony Rebel pleaded to Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson "Mister prime minister, take down the naked people and put up a statue of Miss Lou instead." Many of the over 10,000 in attendance cheered in support. In a release by the sculptor, Laura Facey Cooper upon the release of the statue she stated "It is my hope that our Jamaican people will be moved by Redemption Song." She appears to have gotten her wish...what do you think? View other Caribbean Emancipation Statues Signed: Dr. Alfred Sangster with: Hyacinth Bennett, Yvonne Coke, Prof. Carolyn Cooper, Barbara Blake Hannah, Rev. Peter Garth, Rev. Artnel Henry, Rev. Al Miller, Bishop Peter Morgan, Rev. Earl Thames, Rev. Fitzroy Thomas.	MISSION The campaign for the removal of the statues is now starting formally and will involve the following elements: We are recommending that the discussion be reopened as to what would be appropriate for the park. One possibility that could be considered is that of Louise Bennett (Miss Lou). She represents the spirit of upliftment and emancipation that should be displayed. 1. The collection of signatures and supporting letters 2. Contacting overseas Jamaicans by web site to vote for their removal 3. Media initiatives 4. Contact with civic associations and churches The group also has the following administrative concerns about the process of selecting and processing the winning entry: 1. The Jamaica National Heritage Trust initially asked to be a part of the judging team was subsequently omitted by the NHT which provided a list of judges. 2. Some of the entries have not yet been returned. 3. Runner up prize information has not been publicized. We are not sure if the prize money has been paid to all. 4. The Bob Marley quotation at the base was challenged on copyright grounds and since removed Join us in the campaign. Write to: Emancipation Statues Campaign, P.O.Box 634 Kingston 6 E_mail: [email protected] MEDIA REPORTS The London Guardian - Size Does Matter RITRO.com - Art & Pornography - When Art is no longer Art X NEWS - Statues save motorist, but not homos Sign Guestbook View Guestbook
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