National Windrush Monument, Bronze sculpture group in Waterloo Station, England
The National Windrush Monument is a group of bronze sculptures at platform level in Waterloo Station, depicting three figures climbing a mountain of suitcases. The composition brings together a man, a woman, and a child in a shared upward movement.
The monument commemorates Caribbean immigrants who arrived in Britain between 1948 and 1971 to aid in rebuilding the country following World War II. This wave of arrivals profoundly shaped British society and the nation's immigration history.
The three figures wear formal clothing while climbing a suitcase mountain, honoring the dignity and courage of Caribbean arrivals who undertook their journey in their finest attire. The composition reflects how people from the Caribbean saw themselves and the importance they placed on making a good impression upon arriving in Britain.
The monument stands freely accessible on the platform and can be visited while passing through the station. The location is easy to reach since it sits in one of London's largest transit hubs.
Artist Basil Watson, himself of Jamaican heritage, created the work from personal connection to the Windrush Generation's story. His artistic interpretation weaves his own family history into a national monument.
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