The Greater London Authority has committed over £1.1 million to create and install a major new memorial in the capital honouring the victims of the transatlantic slave trade.
A Monumental Tribute in Bronze
Named 'The Wake', the seven-metre tall bronze artwork is the creation of artist Khaleb Brooks. It is scheduled for unveiling in late 2026 or 2027 at West India Quay in East London, a historic entry point for goods produced by enslaved labour. The memorial takes the form of a giant cowrie shell, an object that held deep cultural meaning but was tragically perverted into a currency used to trade human lives.
Official documents confirm the fabrication contract, worth £1,108,800, has been awarded to Bristol-based firm Pangolin Editions. The main sculpture will be accompanied by a series of smaller shells placed at other sites across London connected to the slave trade. The project requires planning permission before installation can proceed near the Museum of London Docklands, close to where a statue of 18th-century slave trader Robert Milligan once stood.
Addressing a Historical Imbalance
First announced by the Mayor of London on the UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade in 2024, the memorial aims to correct a perceived imbalance in the city's public monuments. City Hall officials argue that while numerous statues and buildings reflect the wealth generated by slavery, and others commemorate abolitionists, there is little dedicated to the millions of enslaved Africans themselves.
A London Assembly document states the memorial is a chance to redress this balance, acknowledging that much of London's historical wealth was built on enslaved labour. A spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan said the artwork will serve as "a stark reminder" of the suffering caused and will educate Londoners about the capital's role in this brutal chapter of history while honouring descendant communities.
Debate Over Cost and Timing
The significant expenditure has sparked political debate, particularly amidst an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Critics, including Conservative MP and Shadow Minister for London Gareth Bacon, have questioned the use of taxpayer funds. Bacon labelled the project "pointless virtue signalling", contrasting it with mayoral decisions to raise council tax and transport fares.
Proponents counter that the memorial is a vital and long-overdue act of public remembrance, arguing that confronting this painful history is essential for a cohesive and fairer London. The artwork will be accessible, allowing visitors to enter the structure, creating a space for reflection on a legacy that continues to resonate today.
