Culture& was the Lead Partner in the City of London Corporation’s Revealing the City’s Past project to reinterpret two statues of slave traders, former Lord Mayor William Beckford and former MP Sir John Cass, located at the City Corporation’s Guildhall Headquarters.
Revealing the City’s Past, launched in June 2025, is a series of responses to the statues which condemn the men’s role in the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved African People. The reinterpretation features texts by artist and heritage professional, Rachael Minott and plaques designed by Praline with poems inscribed by John Agard and Courtney Conrad. Their powerful words confront the racism, greed, and cruelty that underpinned Beckford and Cass’s wealth.
A rich digital platform was also developed including a blog and video resources which extends the conversation beyond the statues, offering visitors and online audiences a deeper exploration of the City’s historic ties to slavery. Through poetry, interviews, and artistic responses, award-winning artist Sonia E Barrett and visual artist Ofilaye reimagined the statue spaces – captured in works including I See You: A Reckoning.
Revealing the City’s Past brings Caribbean diaspora voices to the forefront and encourages reflection on how the legacy of enslavement continues to shape shared spaces.
The project was led by a steering group including Elizabeth Scott, Head of Guildhall Art Gallery, City of London Corporation; Samantha Allen, CEO of Creative Arts Social; Dr Errol Francis, Artistic Director and CEO of Culture&; and Angela Billings, formerly Development Director of Culture&.
Other key project partners include Accessibility Panel members, Intergenerational Panel members, Sonia E Barrett, Ofilaye, Dr Carol Ann Dixon, Jacqui Beckford, Sue Brown, Ayanna Sankara Designs, Gennaro Ambrosino, Scottish Braille, VocalEyes, NaviLens, Goss Consultancy, Paul Clarke, Praline, Omni Colour, Coldr, Liz Isles Photography, RNIB, Alan Baxter, Rupert Harris and Tonwelt.
Plaque Texts
John Cass 1661 – 1718, Cass Plaque text, Louis-François Roubiliac, Sir John Cass, 1751.
William Beckford 1709 – 1770, Beckford plaque text, John Francis Moore, Alderman William Beckford, 1772.
If you would like to visit the Guildhall to see the plaques installed on the statues, there are monthly guided tours that can be booked on the City of London Guides website.
Links:
Retain and Explain: Its Background and Uncertain Future (2024)
Where have all the Women Gone? Black Women in White Spaces (2024)