Although Hull was not involved with the slave trade (the slave ports were on England's west coast), it is associated with the slave trade through the work of William Wilberforce who was MP for the city and who was one of the leaders of the parliamentary campaign, first, against the slave trade and, later, against slavery itself, from the late 18th century and on into the 19th century.
His home was eventually bought by the city council and is now open as a museum with much information about both William Wilberforce and the slave trade.
The figure in this photo was carved in Hull in 1993 by Samuel Samei Marco, a sculptor from Freetown, Sierra Leone. Carved from English oak, it depicts a freed African slave making a pilgrimage to see William Wilberforce. He carries a gift of an ivory horn on his back. The statue shapes a symbolic reminder of the slave trade and celebrates emancipation. It was given by Marco as a gift to the city, to be displayed at Wilberforce House Museum.
What a striking statue and fascinating background. I remember watching a film called Amazing Grace about Wilberforce. What an interesting character he was.
Very beautiful piece of wood sculpture. Needs a lot of artistic skills to do this as oak is very difficult to work on and this piece is so well refined. Slavery as we see it on tv is finished but there are still many who work like slaves just to keep themselves from starving.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreceated, and put this shot on the Popular Page.
I have a friend who wrote a walking guide to the 'Wilberforece Way', a 60 mile walking route from Hull to York, visiting places associated with William Wilberforce. The book also has a useful summary of his life and work, and types of slavery still found around the world today.
Wonderful capture
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreceated, and put this shot on the Popular Page.
I have a friend who wrote a walking guide to the 'Wilberforece Way', a 60 mile walking route from Hull to York, visiting places associated with William Wilberforce. The book also has a useful summary of his life and work, and types of slavery still found around the world today.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, I really liked this carving.
Ian