The Sculpture

The Sculpture. . The African Landing Memorial incorporates four themes heard during the listening tours conducted in the creation of the sculpture: Truth, Empathy, Respect, and Hope. The desire is that through reflection and contemplation visitors will have the opportunity to make emotional and intellectual connections to the history of the African landing by exploring the themes and the three sculpted elements: the Relief, the Figures and the Arc. The Line to Angola connects two continents and their people., The Relief , This sculpture tells the true story of the origins of the first enslaved Africans brought to Virginia in August 1619. It depicts fourteen scenes beginning with the origins of their life in West Central Africa, the violent kidnapping and horrific Middle Passage across the Atlantic Ocean, their arrival at Point Comfort while being forced into a labor system by which Europeans profited. The relief shows the truth of this traumatic journey while honoring their humanity and acknowledging their contributions and skills to the survival and wealth of the colony. (Anticipated Summer 2028/2029), The Figures , The mother, father and child shown in this sculpture symbolize the resilience of those brought here and the creation of a new ethnic group and culture. Inspired by Antoney and Isabella, two of more than thirty enslaved men and women brought to Virginia in 1619, and their child William. Their legacy continues to live on through their descendants and that of thousands of others. (Anticipated Summer 2026), The Arc , The rough-hewn surface of the arc mimics the general shape of the relief. It reaches towards the sky suggesting hope or vaulting dreams, perhaps colling on the visitor to ponder the meaning of freedom and the cost borne by those who came before us. (Anticipated Fall 2026), For more information, please visit 1619landing.org or scan the QR code.