A new life-size bronze figure at Brixton railway station was unveiled today
(Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep)When a statue of Joy Battick was unveiled at Brixton rail station 35 years ago, it was one of the first public artworks in England of a black person.
On Wednesday, Ms Battick, 62, was reunited with her 26-year-old self when a second lifesize bronze, known as Joy II, was unveiled at the station.
The two statues face each other across the station platforms, and have been joined by two other statues first erected in the 1980s and now reinstated at the station. The work, by artist Kevin Atherton, 72, is called Platforms Piece – The Return.
Ms Battick, who worked at Brixton Recreation Centre in 1986 and used to live in Brixton, said: “I don’t think many people can claim to have a life-size statue of themselves so to have two in the same place is quite amazing.”
The original figures, known as Platforms Piece’, were commissioned by British Rail after the Public Art Development Trust suggested a piece of art should be created as part of a £1m improvement scheme.
Platforms Piece was given listed status by Historic England in 2016 as two of the figures were “believed to be the first sculptural representations of British black people in England in a public art context”.
Southeastern railway, which now owns Brixton station, decided to restore the three original statues, which had become weather-beaten and were at a risk of toppling.
Ms Battick revealed her new sculpture alongside Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Pauline George and Mr Atherton on Wednesday.
Mr Atherton had wanted the figures to emphasise the passing of trains at the station through their positioning, and to represent the real inhabitants of Brixton. He chose models who had personal connections to the area: Peter Lloyd, Karin Heisterman and Ms Battick.
Ms Battick said: “Back in the 80s, all the staff at the centre were asked if they wanted to take part in the art project and I just thought ‘why not?’. I felt like a mummy being wrapped in bandages but when I saw the end result standing on Brixton platform, I knew it had all been worth it.
“Meeting up with Kevin again to pose for the second statue felt far more relaxed. It was a much easier process as I was photographed by 460 cameras at exactly the same time – I felt like a superstar.”
The figures are hollow but each weigh about 200kg. The new Joy II statue was made using 3D scanning and 3D printing technology.
Mr Atherton said: “The original artwork became a much-loved Brixton landmark, welcoming passengers as they got on and off their train or when viewed from passing rail carriages. Historic England should be commended for recognising the piece as a celebration of the cultural identity of the area and I’m delighted the three original sculptures have been returned to their home.
“The methods we use to craft sculptures have changed significantly since the 80s; creating ‘Joy II’ and reuniting with Joy after so many years was a wonderful experience.”
Peter Stapleton, head of facilities at Southeastern, said: “‘Platforms Piece’ is so important to the local area and as the owners of this significant artwork, we’re very pleased to have been able to restore and return the original sculptures to the platform.
“Having a new figure at the station will hopefully encourage a whole new generation to appreciate all the sculptures.”
