Trinidad and Tobago-born artist Jeannette Ehlers is among four artists whose designs have been shortlisted for the new UK Windrush monument.
Artists Basil Watson, Ehlers, Thomas J Price and Valda Jackson have unveiled their designs for the national Windrush Monument at London Waterloo station.
The artists, all of Caribbean descent, were shortlisted earlier this year to design a permanent tribute to the Windrush generation to honour how they have enriched the UK's history, a media release said.
The monument will recognise how the Windrush generation has enriched the UK’s history and will be a permanent tribute to a generation of arrivals from the Caribbean to the UK – from the arrival of MV Empire Windrush in 1948 and in the decades that followed.
It is expected to be unveiled on Windrush Day June 22, 2022.
Each of the artists has created a video unveiling their design for the monument, which will be located on the station’s upper concourse. The video also explains more about their artistic practice.
Ehlers’ video can be viewed on YouTube. The designs from the three other artists can also be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/windrush-monument-share-your-views#videos
The public is being invited to have its say on the artists’ proposals through an online survey. The UK government is particularly encouraging those of Caribbean descent to take part and share their views on the designs, the release said.
The final artist design will be chosen in September by the Windrush Commemoration Committee, considering views from the general public, and will be announced in October during Black History Month.
The chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE said the committee wants to hear from young people in particular.
She said, “It is so exciting to finally see the designs our talented shortlisted artists have put forward for the national Windrush Monument in London Waterloo station.
“The monument will educate and inspire the next generation through the Windrush story. For that reason, it is incredibly important to myself and the Windrush Commemoration Committee, to hear from young people on what they think of the four designs.
“The monument will be a place that people can visit from far and wide with their children and families to learn and reflect on the lasting legacy of our Windrush generation.”
Communities Minister Lord Greenhalgh said, “Millions of people visit Waterloo station every year and this monument will always be a reminder to them of the incredible impact the Windrush generation has had – and continue to have – on the UK and our history.
“I encourage everyone to take part in the survey and share their views ahead of the final design being revealed later this year.”
About the artists
Jeannette Ehlers: Ehlers uses a mixture of photography, video, installation, sculpture and performance in her work. Her work addresses complex questions about memory, ra
