Colston statue to go on display
It will form part of a temporary exhibition at the M Shed in Bristol
The statue of slave trader Edward Colston, torn down by Black Lives Matter protestors last year, will go on temporary display in a museum next week.
It will be available to view at the M Shed from Friday 4 June as part of a temporary exhibition at the M Shed, three days before the one year anniversary of its toppling.
It was torn down on 7 June 2020 during a protest against racial inequality, sparked by the murder of black man George Floyd by a white police officer in the United States.
Bristol City Council have revealed the news today, saying residents in the city will be asked to complete a survey on the future of the statue and what should happen to it, which is being run by the We Are Bristol History Commission.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “The 7 June 2020 is undoubtedly a significant day in Bristol’s history and had a profound impact not just in our city but also across the country and around the world.
“The Colston statue: What next? display at M Shed is a temporary exhibition which aims to start a conversation about our history.
"The We Are Bristol History Commission will be leading that conversation with citizens over the coming months.
“The future of the statue must be decided by the people of Bristol and so I urge everyone to take the opportunity to share their views and help inform future decisions by taking part in the survey.”
Based on your responses to the survey, the Commission will then make a recommendation for the long term future of the statue, which should be released at the end of this year.
Responses will also be archived and made publicly accessible as a resource for researchers, schools and those who wish to learn more about Bristol's history and the city's links to the transatlantic traffic of enslaved African people and its present-day legacy.
Professor Tim Cole, Chair of the We Are Bristol History Commission and Professor of Social History at the University of Bristol, said: “The We Are Bristol History Commission has been working in partnership with the museum team to develop the display and the survey over recent months.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to have your say on how we move forward together. The display is not a comprehensive exhibition about Colston or transatlantic slavery in Bristol, but it is intended to be a departure point for continuing conversations about our shared history.’’
After its retrieval from the harbour, the conservation team at M Shed cleaned the statue and stabilised the spray paint graffiti to prevent flaking.
The bike tyre that emerged from the water with the statue will also form part of the display.
Fran Coles, Conservation and Documentation Manager at M Shed, said: "The aim of our conservation work was to stabilise the statue and prevent deterioration from the water and silt it had been exposed to.
“This will prepare the statue for whatever its future may be.
"M Shed’s role is to reflect the history and contemporary issues relating to Bristol, telling the stories that matter to the people of Bristol.
“Therefore, it is a very suitable location for this short-term display of the statue.
"It will enable visitors to take stock and make their own minds up concerning the future of the statue.
"The display and survey will also be online, helping to reach people across the city and beyond.”
M Shed entry is free, but visits must be booked in advance to keep the galleries COVID-secure. Visit bristolmuseums.org.uk