A Global Underwater Sculpture
Project Honoring Enslaved Africans and Their Descendants
Renowned sculptor Stephen Hayes and cultural storyteller Javier Wallace, Ph.D. have joined forces to create the first underwater sculpture intentionally dedicated to enslaved Africans and their descendants. This living memorial is a groundbreaking way to honor the African diaspora—rooted in truth, humanity, and artistic innovation.
The Vision
The idea was born during Stephen Hayes’ residency at Black Rock Senegal, where he envisioned “collaborating with the water” at historic ports connected to the transatlantic slave trade. At each location, Hayes casts at least two descendants of the enslaved—people whose family histories are tied to that place. The sculptures are then submerged in local waters for one year. Over that time, the ocean becomes an active collaborator, transforming the work through coral growth, salt, and tide.
After a year, the sculptures are retrieved and placed on pedestals, carrying the story of their journey. They will then travel to museums and galleries worldwide, forming a powerful, collective narrative of the African diaspora.
Dr. Javier Wallace ensures each installation is rooted in meticulous historical research, centering the humanity of Africans who were forcibly taken from their families, communities, and continents. Using archival data, including slave ship records, the project connects each sculpture to specific stories, voyages, and people.
The First Installation – Barbados
The inaugural chapter launched in partnership with the Barbados Division of Culture in June 2025, honoring the legacy of King Cuffee. On June 12, 1675, enslaved Africans in Barbados planned a rebellion to overthrow the brutal slave system and install Cuffee as king. The plan was discovered, and many were executed or tortured.
Exactly 350 years later, on June 12, 2025, two sculptures were submerged 22 feet beneath the waters of Speightstown, Barbados, following a moving ceremony and public program. These sculptures will remain in place until June 2026, when they will be raised from the ocean, transformed by the sea, and displayed publicly.
Why This Matters
This project is more than art—it is memory, history, and global connection. It invites communities worldwide to engage with their histories of enslavement, reckon with the past, and honor the resilience and humanity of those who endured it.
How You Can Be Part
of History?
We are looking for:
Future Host Sites – Cities and nations connected to the transatlantic slave trade ready to commission their own underwater sculptures.
Institutional Partners – Museums, galleries, and universities to exhibit the sculptures and share their stories.
Supporters & Funders – Individuals, organizations, and sponsors to help bring the next installations to life.
Your support helps us:
Commission and cast new sculptures in historically significant locations.
Conduct rigorous research to accurately tell the stories behind each site.
Document and share these works through exhibitions, film, and public programs.
JOIN US
Help us build a global archive of remembrance—one that the water itself has touched. Together, we can honor the lives, resistance, and legacies of millions whose stories must never be forgotten.
