A statue depicting a seated Black woman by American artist Tschabalala Self was the victim of vandalism on May 15 but found restoration assistance from hundreds of people.
The ten-foot-tall bronze piece, “Seated,” was created in 2022. It was temporarily displayed outside the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea on England’s southern coastline until October 29. The statue was vandalized when it was completely covered in white spray paint. In response, the Pavilion issued a statement inviting volunteers to join in removing the paint, promoting unity and peaceful protest.
According to a Pavilion representative, the turnout exceeded expectations, with around 300 people showing up. Due to the high turnout, the event had to be extended to accommodate everyone in the queue. The spokesperson further noted that “Seated” will continue to be professionally restored and will reopen to the public soon.
In a post on Instagram, Self-expressed her disappointment at the defacement of her statue. She noted that Black, female, and especially Black female bodies are common targets for abuse. “Seated” was a proud representation of Blackness and femininity, and it was for these reasons the statue was attacked by being covered with white spray paint in a vain attempt to erase its colour and, in Self’s view, its strength.
She also hoped this vandalism would highlight ongoing issues in the Western world. Painting the white statue was offensive, and she felt deeply for the individuals in Bexhill-on-Sea who might have been shocked or scared by the incident.
The statue “Seated” was commissioned by Avant Arte and produced by Factum Arte, a studio based in Madrid.
In an interview with The Art Newspaper in 2020, Self spoke about her unique artwork featuring Black and primarily female figures. Louisa Buck, the correspondent, wrote that she works both “embrace and confound collective fantasies and assumptions surrounding the Black female body.”
The unfortunate incident with Self’s statue “Seated” is a stark reminder of the persistent racial and gender-based issues. It also speaks to the strength of community and the collective power of peaceful resistance, as hundreds came together to restore the artwork. Self’s art continues to spark critical conversations about Blackness, femininity, and societal assumptions surrounding the Black female body.
