Globe sculptures on campus mark legacy of slavery

Four new globe sculptures at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus have been installed to mark the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

The artistic globes have been installed at prominent locations around Whiteknights and will create a Globe Trail that is part of a permanent public art on campus project.

The globes were originally created for The World Reimagined art-education initiative in 2022, which gave the public the opportunity to learn from the past, understand the present and reimagine the future. More than 100 globes were displayed all over the UK.

Following this exhibition, the globes were made available to buy and the University launched a crowdfunding project to purchase some, in order to create a public art trail on campus.

After consultation with various relevant groups internal and external to the University, selected designs were voted on by staff and students, and enough money was generously donated to purchase four globes.

What do the globes represent?

The four globes selected explore different elements of the legacies of slavery, including remembering the thousands of enslaved people who lost their lives at sea during transportation and celebrating African music and culture.

Dr Hannah Lyons, Curator of University Art Collections at the University of Reading, said: “The University of Reading is proud to host the work of four incredible contemporary artists, who each explore different themes that reflect the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade. From exploring the complexity of Britain’s relationship with Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean, to celebrating the spirit and culture of the African diaspora, each globe takes you on a journey of discovery. It is important to understand our past in order to create a more hopeful vision for the future. 

“These globes will form a trail that will launch later this year, but in the meantime, we hope everyone that visits campus will enjoy this thought-provoking and striking public art exhibition.”

Celebration plans

The Globe Trail will be part of a map currently being developed that will guide users around all the public art on display on campus. The map is being developed by students in the University’s Typography department.

A launch event to celebrate the globes is being planned for the autumn.

The four globes can be found at the following locations:

• Main Palmer Quad
• In front of the Library
• Outside Park House
• Garden next to URS building