Ira Aldridge
2022
This sculpture, part of my Landmark series for Sky Arts, pays tribute to Ira Frederick Aldridge, a pioneering African-American actor and theatre manager whose extraordinary legacy is deeply interwoven with Coventry. Creating this piece was driven by the urgent need to reclaim a space of historical erasure, to give visibility to a figure whose contributions have too often been overlooked, and to remind us of the power of public art to shape collective memory.
Aldridge’s life embodies courage, excellence, and resistance. Born in New York City in 1807, he moved to England to escape systemic racism and quickly rose to prominence on the British stage. By the age of 20, he became the first Black person to manage a British theatre before slavery was abolished, holding the keys to the Theatre Royal in Coventry. While in the city, he used his platform to advocate against slavery, contributing to local campaigns that influenced Coventry to petition at Parliament for slavery to be abolished. Aldridge’s story is not only theatrical but profoundly political, a testament to resilience, leadership, and artistic brilliance in the face of oppression.
In the sculpture, Aldridge standing at 14 metere holds a fob watch, referencing Coventry’s historic watchmaking and mechanical district and symbolizing the passage of time, memory, and enduring influence. Positioned to face Spon End and near the Coventry Watch Museum, the piece anchors him within the city he helped shape and connects viewers to a tangible sense of history.
This work is important because it confronts historical omission and challenges us to reflect on whose stories are celebrated in public spaces. By embedding Aldridge in the urban landscape, the sculpture invites recognition, inspires curiosity, and fosters respect for a legacy that resonates far beyond theatre. It reminds us that public art is not only aesthetic it is a tool for social awareness, cultural dialogue, and enduring remembrance.