This sculpture by Mark DeGraffenried (2001) currently stands at
the Pier Head, Liverpool and commemorates migration from Liverpool to the New
World. It was given to the people of Liverpool by the Mormon Church as a
tribute to the many families from all over Europe who embarked on a brave and
pioneering voyage from Liverpool to start a new life in America. It is
estimated that in total approximately nine million people emigrated through Liverpool
to America.
(I mention that it ‘currently’ stands at the Pier Head because I
believe it may eventually be destined for the nearby Museum of Liverpool.)
The sculpture is cast in bronze. The child stepping forward
symbolises the migration to the unknown world. Not visible in this shot is a child at the back who is playing with a
crab, suggesting the port’s deep association with the sea.
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This is a kind of sculpture I like, it represents history for so many families. In Sweden too almost every family has some relative in the past who emigrated to the US.
ReplyDeleteLooking at our family history it's astonishing the number of members of our family who emigrated during the 19th century.
DeleteWhat a lovely sculpture
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and meaningful sculpture. I have always been aware of and grateful to my ancestors who made the perilous voyage in a wooden boat, not knowing what lay ahead - certainly no city or church or social service to welcome them. They landed and had to make shelter for the night. It's too hard to adequately imagine.
ReplyDeleteThe conditions on board were horrendous for most of the families as well, weren't they.
DeleteMy Great Great Grandfather Michael Finn left Ireland and emigrated to America leaving from Liverpool, this was around 1857.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual tribute to honor those who came from your spot in the world to mine! It is superb!
ReplyDeleteJust "stumbled" across your blog, from across the pond. Love the history!
ReplyDeleteJan @ The Pink Geranium, Snohomish WA, USA
Welcome, Jan. I know someone who will just love your blog (and be quite jealous of some of your finds!).
DeleteAn astonishingly poignant sculpture I look forward to seeing in the flesh (so to speak) next year.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much, thank you for photographing this and having on here.
ReplyDeleteLook at the sturdy chubby feet of the toddler, the lacy underbit of the child's clothing, the man standing there looking ahead with courage and the mother with one hand open (for the future?) and the other hand prepared to help her little one. I love this, I would study and study it!
As a Mormon I've seen many statues out west that are similar. Our Church does have a great love for all those who left their native lands to come and build the Church here in the States. It was a long and difficult journey and many died before seeing the end..Beautiful statue..I hope it lives on forever in the museum.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yaya, it wasn't just the courage to set out that was so admirable it was the hardships endured on the journey as well. Unimaginable to most of us in this day and age.
DeleteA lovely tribute to all those who left the British Isles to settle North America. Those of us who are descended from them, and from the brothers and sisters they left behind, owe them an immeasurable debt which can never be repaid. Like GB, I hope to see it "in the flesh" one day. Thanks for a truly beautiful post. xoxox
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