The world’s best known graffiti artist Banksy has created a sketch for a slavery memorial in Bristol that would incorporate the 17th-century slave-trader Edward Colston and the protesters who tore his statue down.
Banksy, whose identity is unknown but who is believed to come from the city of Bristol in south west England, posted his proposal on Instagram.
His sketch shows the statue of Colston, which was torn down from its prominent position near Bristol’s harbour as part of a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday, returned to its pedestal.
However, in the drawing Colston is joined by additional statues of the protesters who tore it down, to commemorate the occasion.
“What should we do with the empty plinth in the middle of Bristol?” said Banksy.
“Here’s an idea that caters for both those who miss the Colston statue and those who don’t.”
“We drag him out the water, put him back on the plinth, tie cable round his neck and commission some life size bronze statues of protestors in the act of pulling him down,” continued Banksy.
“Everyone happy. A famous day commemorated.”
Acknowedgement: Dezeen.com – Banksy proposes reinstating Edward Colston statue as part of slavery memorial