Dutch sculptor to create Windrush Generation sculpure in Central London

Dutch sculptor Nelson Carrilho has been granted the commission to erect a permanent art structure in London, that will celebrate the Windrush generation, a community of economic migrants from the Caribbean who relocated to the U.K. after the Second World War ended in 1945.

In a press release Hugh Neil, Director at Margin Art & Media said the statue will be located in the Emslie Hornimons Pleasance Park in Central London, near the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

“This location has great significance. It is where the Nottinghill carnival was started by the Black community in London; which means that the sculpture will be visited by over two million people each year as they celebrate the Notting Hill Carnival.”

Neil: “This project has taken two years to get to this stage. We are delighted that it will be completed with the unveiling scheduled for 2025. My thanks goes to our team in the Netherlands and London whom made this project possible.”

The press release also noted that Pastor Michael Hector has been invited to bless the art opening. In an interview about the art piece, the pastor who was born down the road from where the art piece will be located, reflected on its permanent status. "Society is changing. We are not cargo anymore. The art piecewill hopefull signify that we should to learn from history and improve destiny."

About the artist

Nelson Carrilho was born in Curaçao, and moved to the Netherlands when he was eleven. He graduated in 1980 from the Artibus Art Academy in Utrecht.

His sculptures are often figurative and based on traditional elements that have their roots in Africa and the Caribbean.