Negro Aroused

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Negro Aroused - intersection of Ocean Boulevard and King Street, Kingston

The "Negro Aroused" statue on the Kingston waterfront (on the junction of Ocean Boulevard and King Street) is a large scale replica of Edna Manley's iconic sculpture of the same name.

Edna Manley (wife of Norman Manley) sculpted the original piece in 1935. The work, carved from dark mahogany is intended to signify the struggle of the black man to break free from slavery in to freedom and, metaphorically, Jamaica's struggle for independence. The sculpture was first exhibited in 1937 and, in the same year, was purchased for the Institute of Jamaica collection.

In 1977 Edna Manley was commissioned to sculpt an enlarged bronzed version of the piece. Unfortunately, this was destroyed by fire before it was completed. In 1991 (4 years after Manley's death) another enlarged bronze version of the sculpture was commissioned. It is this version which now stands proudly on Kingston's waterfront.

The "Negro Aroused" sculpture has become an enduring icon of triumph and struggle of Jamaica and the black race which has adorned stamps, logos and motivational posters ever since it was sculpted.

© 2012 Jamaica Travel and Culture .com

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