Custard Apple , Breadfruit and Soursop, Public sculpture in Hackney, England
The sculptures display three large fruits in bronze and marble: a custard apple, a breadfruit, and a soursop in lifelike forms. They stand near St Augustine's Tower and combine polished and textured materials to capture the natural surfaces of these plants.
The artwork was inaugurated in October 2021 as the first permanent public monument honoring Caribbean workers who arrived in Britain between 1948 and 1971. This period marks the arrival of the Windrush generation, who significantly shaped British society and culture.
The artist selected these Caribbean fruits to honor the local market heritage and food traditions of immigrant communities in East London. The works sit near Ridley Road Market, where these products are still sold today.
The sculptures are located on Narrow Way and are generously scaled, allowing visitors to walk around them and view them from different angles. The polished and ridged surfaces invite touching, especially at spots where you can sit.
The work combines marble and bronze to mimic the different textures of these tropical fruits and create a sensory experience. The pairing of the two materials is a deliberate choice that expresses appreciation for craftsmanship and botanical diversity.
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