Council Seeks Artist To Design And Install Frederick Douglass Sculpture

Belfast City Council is seeking an artist to design and install a sculpture of abolitionist and campaigner Frederick Douglass.

Douglass was a former slave who became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in America. He first visited Belfast in 1845 at the invitation of the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society and returned for a second visit in 1846.

The artist who is appointed will be required to design and produce a permanent, life-size or larger figurative sculpture which will be installed in Rosemary Street in the city centre, subject to planning permission being granted.

The project is funded by Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Christina Black said: "Frederick Douglass is an inspirational historical figure, famous for his oratory and anti-slavery writings. He delivered at least 11 lectures during his four weeks in Belfast in 1845, including in the Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church, close to where it is intended that the sculpture will be installed.

"Douglass was aged 27 when he visited Ireland, so it is appropriate that the statue will depict him at that age. I am sure that the project will help increase footfall in this part of the city centre as locals and tourists, interested in Douglass and his campaigning in this part of the world, visit the sculpture."

The procurement of the artist is a two-stage process, with initial expressions of interest due by 16 September 2022.