Goldsmiths University Tackles Contested Deptford Statues With New Art

June 8, 2026

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Controversial statues at Deptford Town Hall are being reimagined by talented young artists and researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London. These new projects aim to shed light on the building's complex naval history and its links to colonialism.

Reimagining Imperial Legacies

The commissions are a direct response to a student occupation in 2019. They tackle the imperial statues on the town hall's facade, which many see as symbols of past harms and ongoing injustices.

The projects combine academic research with creative practice. They aim to centre the voices of communities most affected by the legacies of enslavement and empire.

Art Responding to History

One project, 'Statues', is a site-specific film created with young artists from Goldsmiths' Alchemy programme. It uses spoken word and rap to explore how young people engage with contested heritage.

Another, 'Monument Mashup', is a youth-led project. It uses clay modelling, 3D scanning, and storytelling to propose new monuments and meanings for the site.

Postgraduate researcher Yusuf Thomas has also penned an open letter, 'Dear Statues'. He reflects on the legacies of slavery and empire and what the statues represent today.

Author

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

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