Shastia Azulay ’23

“The Fight Continues,” 2020. Oil-based clay, armature wire, tinfoil, styrofoam, 2.5 x 2 x 7.5 inches

Artist Statement: My sculpture was inspired by Marc Quinn’s statue of the Black Lives Matter protestor Jen Reid. The statue of Jen Reid was erected on the same plinth where a statue of slave trader Edward Colston had stood a few days earlier. However, the powerful statue of Reid was removed after only one day, under the explanation that it had been placed without permission from the city; the plinth remains empty to this day. This silencing of BLM imagery, protected by the simple statement of “it’s the law,” is one of the many factors that hold back positive change. Throughout history, black voices have been silenced, and people today still have to fight to be heard and treated equally.  There is powerful work being done to fight for equality and respect, but the fight isn’t over. There is still much to be done.