The queue to restore the statue. Photograph by Sonia from the nearby 11 the Colonnade shop
Local residents restore Tschabalala Self sculpture after racist vandalism
On Sunday May 21, the community of Bexhill and beyond came together in an act of restoration and resistance to the vandalism of Tschabalala Self’s sculpture Seated. On Monday 15 May, a sculpture of a Black woman looking out to sea was spray-painted white, covering the entirety of her skin. Erica Smith reports back after Sunday’s vigil.
Artist Sineid Codd restoring the sculpture
At 1pm last Sunday, over 300 people gathered to make a start in cleaning the sculpture with scrubbing brushes and white spirit. Through this process of care and healing it was made clear that these acts will not be tolerated in our community and we will continue doing the necessary work to combat racism in all its forms.
Seated will continue to be restored professionally and will re-open on Saturday 3 June. The staff of the De La Warr Pavilion have invited everyone to enjoy a picnic with the artist on the lawns around the sculpture and celebrate the power of art to galvanise and connect people and communities. The statue will remain outside De La Warr Pavilion until 29 October.
Global DJ and FRSA & BEFFTA Diversity Award winner, Debbie Golt, who attended the show of support said, “What a genius and healing approach – focusing on all that is good about the community. The feeling I got from people in the queue was that they so appreciated that and felt so very much part of the resolution. It was particularly heartening overhearing some fabulous parent and children chats about it and how important it was to be there. The queueing was long for our 90 seconds of cleaning and that’s how dedicated everyone was, not minding waiting to play their part. Simply being there was taking action.”
Statement from Tschabalala Self
I am very disheartened that my sculpture Seated (2022) was targeted and attacked by vandals. Despite my disappointment I am not surprised as it is Black and Female – and especially because Black Female bodies are often targets for abuse. Seated proudly represents the beauty of both blackness and femininity, and for these very reasons she has been harmed: covered by her assailant with white spray paint in a futile attempt to erase her colour and, in my mind, her strength. Despite these efforts, she remains in place and will continue to do so until her time at De La Warr Pavilion is complete.
Many have derived joy from Seated, and through community support she will be restored to her former likeness. I hope that the violence enacted on the sculpture illuminates the persistent issues plaguing the Global West. Painting the skin of my sculpture white is an obscene act and I feel horribly for individuals in Bexhill-on-Sea shocked or frightened by this event. To my supporters there, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and a promise that I will continue to make work that provokes meaningful change and progress in our shared society.
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