Black Women at the Heart of UK Public Art: A Call to Action

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-12

Dawn-Maria France has a message for UK cities: it's time to put Black women at the heart of public art. She's urging cities to commission works that celebrate the often-overlooked contributions of Black women to local history, civic life, and communities. ### Why This Matters Public art shapes how we see our cities and ourselves. But for too long, the stories told in bronze and stone have been overwhelmingly white and male. France argues that by excluding Black women, we're not just missing a piece of the picture—we're distorting it. Black women have been pillars of their communities for generations, from organizing mutual aid networks to leading local businesses and fighting for civil rights. Their stories deserve to be seen and celebrated. ### The Power of Representation When a young Black girl walks past a statue of someone who looks like her, it sends a powerful message: you belong here, your story matters. France points out that representation in public art isn't just about diversity for diversity's sake—it's about truth-telling. It's about acknowledging the full, complex history of a place and the people who built it. > "If we don't tell these stories, they'll be lost. And that's a loss for all of us." — Dawn-Maria France ### How Cities Can Respond France's call to action is practical. She suggests that cities: - Audit their existing public art to see who is represented and who isn't. - Commission new works that specifically honor Black women's contributions. - Involve local communities in the selection and design process. - Ensure that the artists commissioned are diverse, including Black women artists. This isn't about tokenism. It's about creating a more accurate and inclusive public landscape. As France puts it, "This is about legacy. It's about leaving a record for future generations that says: Black women were here, and they made a difference." ### The Time Is Now Across the UK, there's a growing movement to rethink public art. From Bristol to London, communities are questioning who gets memorialized and why. France's call adds a vital voice to this conversation. She's not just asking for statues—she's asking for a shift in perspective. A shift that recognizes the richness and resilience of Black women's history. For cities ready to take up the challenge, the rewards go beyond art. They include stronger community bonds, a more honest sense of identity, and a legacy of inclusion for generations to come. The question isn't whether Black women deserve a place in public art—it's why it's taken so long.