The sculpture represents the continuing fight for freedom and human rights. © Christian Aid
A sculpture made from recycled materials found in the slums of Haiti is to tour the UK to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the international slave trade and highlight the continuing struggle worldwide for freedom and human rights.
The Freedom! sculpture was created by young Haitian artists in collaboration with professional artists and sculptors and was made out of metal car parts and raw junk found in the dangerous shantytowns of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
It has been unveiled at Liverpool’s Merseyside Maritime Museum and will tour the country before returning to Liverpool where it will remain on permanent display in the International Slavery Museum, which will open on August 23 2007.
Young Haitians were helped by professional local artists. © Christian Aid
"This remarkable sculpture is an important work of art in its own right," said David Fleming, Director of National Museums Liverpool. "It also symbolises the links between the historic transatlantic slave trade and contemporary issues of freedom, enslavement and global inequalities.”
“It is fitting its permanent home will be in the International Slavery Museum, due to open on the anniversary of the revolution which created Haiti, the world’s first independent black republic.”
The sculpture was commissioned by Christian Aid and National Museums Liverpool and the artists worked with internationally renowned Haitian artist Mario Benjamin and sculptors Eugene, Celeur and Guyodo from Atis Rezistans.
To get a feeling for what people felt about freedom and slavery the artists held workshops with local people who had been involved with APROSIFA, a Christian Aid-supported organisation providing basic education and health clinics plus working towards curbing gang-related violence.
The artists worked with local people to find out what slavery and freedom meant to them. © Christian Aid
Haiti became the first black republic as a result of the first successful slave revolt. It is now the poorest country in the western hemisphere with 82 per cent of the rural population living below the poverty line according to the United Nations. Seventy per cent of the population is unemployed.
International trade rules also make it difficult for local farmers to compete with imports from richer countries.
“People don’t have chains on their arms and legs now, but people still have chains in their minds,” said Ronald Cadet, one of the young people who worked on the project. “When you have problems getting enough food, housing or education, you are not living in a free country.”
Freedom! will become a permanent fixture at the International Slavery Museum after touring the UK. © Christian Aid
He said, however, that the project had made him see that there was hope and “strength in being united”.
After showing at the Merseyside Maritime Museum until April 1, Freedom! will travel to Stratford Circus Arts Centre in London, Bristol’s Empire and Commonwealth Museum and The Eden Project in Cornwall before becoming a permanent exhibit at the International Slavery Museum.
The International Slavery Museum opens on August 23 2007 in Liverpool’s Albert Dock.
