Public art: Statue of Joseph Sturge

Designer: John Thomas

This Grade II listed statue dates to 1862. It deplicts the anti slavery campaigner Joseph Sturge (1793 - 1859). He was a successful corn merchant and Quaker. He moved to Birmingham in 1822. The Act of Parliament to abolish slavery was passed in 1833. Sturge travelled to the West Indies in 1836, and on his return to England campaigned for full freedom, this was achieved by 1838. The statue was last cleaned up in 2006 to 2007, but has got quite weathered again since.

Where? At Five Ways in front of the Marriott Hotel, near Harborne Road, Edgbaston and Five Ways Island.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Joseph Sturge statue gallery and details

Joseph Sturge (1793-1859) was a Quaker, abolitionist and activist.

He became a successful corn merchant and in 1822 moved to Birmingham, at first living on Monument Lane (now Road), and afterwards in Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston.

He worked tireslessly for the complete abolition of slavery. There was an Act in 1833, but he travelled to the West Indies in 1836 to observe the situation first hand, and full freedom was achieved by 1838.

Sturge was also an active peace campaigner. He campaigned for peace during the 1850s.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

After his death in 1859, a statue was created in his memory and was unveiled during June 1862 at Five Ways, Birmingham, not far from his former home. It has been Grade II listed since 1982.

It was sculpted in Portland stone by John Thomas (1813-62). The statue was erected after the sculptors death.

On the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, the statue was fully restored and rededicated in March 2007.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is two female allergorical figures. One representing Peace holding a dove and a olive branch, with a lamb at her feet, symbolising innocence.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The other Charity offers comfort to two African-Carribbean children, recalling the fight and victory over slavery.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The statue of Sturge was posed if he was teaching, with his right hand resting on a Bible.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Around the top of the plinth is the words "Charity, Temperance and Peace". As well as Sturge's name and his death date of 1859.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The statue was moved a short distance in 1925 to it's current position with the addition of a bronze plaque about it's subject. It reads:

He laboured to bring freedom to the Negro slave, the vote to British workmen, and the promise of peace to a war-worn world.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Birmingham Civic Society, Birmingham City Council and the Sturge family had the statue restored during 2006-07.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In the middle of the 2010s, the statue was still looking clean, as could be seen from the then new Costa Coffee Drive Thru (outdoor seating).

Statue of Joseph Sturge from the Costa Coffee Drive Thru (October 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

But over the following decade since, it has got quite weathered again, as can be seen below in 2021.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

As of 2022 the statue could do with another jet wash.

It is one of the first things you would see after getting off the no 1, 23 or 24 buses on Harborne Road, and the walk to the subway at Five Ways Island.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (March 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The weathered Joseph Sturge statue seen from Harborne Road, it's in front of the Delta Hotels Marriott car park, facing Five Ways Island.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of the Marriott Hotel (October 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In the autumn of 2022, the Marriott Hotel was renamed to Delta Hotels Marriott, as can be seen behind the statue of Joseph Sturge.

Statue of Joseph Sturge outside of Delta Hotels Marriott (October 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Hagley Road view of the weathered Joseph Sturge statue, towards the derelict Five Ways Tower.

Statue of Joseph Sturge from Hagley Road (January 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Post Links

Joseph Sturge and the campaign to abolish slavery