Skip to content

Edward Colston statue on display in Bristol exhibition

PA Media Statue of Bristol slave trader Edward ColstonPA Media
The statue of slave trader Edward Colston is on public display in Bristol, almost exactly a year since it was toppled

A statue of slave trader Edward Colston that was toppled during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol has been placed on display.

The bronze memorial to the 17th Century slave merchant was thrown into the harbour on 7 June in the wake of George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis.

The statue is on display at the M Shed museum in the city alongside placards from the protest.

Residents have been invited to take part in a survey to decide its future.

Why one African American wants to find out whether he shares more than a name with slaver Edward Colston

The We Are Bristol History Commission is leading the public consultation to decide its long-term future.

Dr Shawn Sobers, associate professor at the University of the West of England and part of the commission, said the effects of the statue being pulled down "ricocheted" across the UK and the world.

"We know this isn't an isolated incident, we know that there are statues across the world that celebrate slavers," he said.

"At the same time, the anti-racist movement isn't about statues. It's trying to eradicate racism from society and bring equality where there's racial disparity which cuts across economic divides.

"But statues are a symbol of how seriously our cities in Britain are actually taking these issues."

Jon Kent/Bristol Live Colston statue cleaningJon Kent/Bristol Live
Fran Coles worked to stabilise spray paint from the statue once it was recovered from the harbour
PA Media Colston statuePA Media
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said the future of the statue must be decided by the people of the city

Dr Sobers described putting the Colston statue on display as an opportunity to tell a "wider history" and encourage people to speak about it.

"We're using this opportunity to find out what local people think because we have to live in this city together," he added.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: "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."

Prof Tim Cole, chair of the commission, said: "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."