{Below the statue:}
1805
Site: Deptford Town Hall (4 memorials)
SE14, New Cross Road, Goldsmith's University of London
The 1905 building is by Lanchester, Stewart and Rickards. All the extensive decorative sculpture work is by Henry Poole and has a nautical theme. We share Speel's admiration for this work. See there for more details and many photos.
The statues are in chronological sequence, left to right: Drake, Blake, Nelson, Admiral. That last, a generic contemporary admiral, is given the date the building was completed, 1905. The very concept of a statue of an anonymous contemporary figure is unusual. We feel there must be a story why a fourth great seafarer was not chosen to be represented - there are 10 others to chose from at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
Note that they are not 360 degree free-standing statues, rather they seem to be carved in very high relief. For example the hilt of Drake's sword is in full 3D but the blade is in relief on the wall behind. It's not easy to see how 'engaged' they are; how difficult it would be to remove them without damaging the building or leaving an ugly scar. You'd be left with something like the scenery and props of a stage play after the actors have exited.
Goldsmiths College acquired the building in 2000, the same year in which it was listed. In 2019 Goldsmiths Anti-Racist Action protested about these statues and occupied the building for over 137 days.
2021: From the Daily Mail: the College launched a public consultation on these statues. "figures behind the statues have links to slavery or support of the British colonial system" so the College "wants to understand depth of feeling".
2022: My London reported that "Over half of locals said they were against removing the carvings ... Instead the university, ... will install panels near the statues explaining the history of the individuals represented and their links to the slave trade. Local schools will also be handed information packs explaining their history."
2023: East London Lines added that a piece of art was also to be commissioned to juxtapose the statues. However, November 2023, neither the explanatory panels nor the artwork had been installed. But the College did run an event, "What Are Statues For?”.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk
