Marc Quinn's Unauthorized BLM Statue in Bristol Sparks Debate Over White Allyship and Artistic Ethics

In Bristol, UK, last week, YBA artist Marc Quinn unveiled a statue honoring Black Lives Matter activist Jen Reid on the site where Edward Colston's monument to slavery once stood. Titled 'A Surge of Power (Jen Reid) (2020)', the unapproved installation was taken down within a day after Bristol's mayor, Marvin Rees, highlighted the importance of following democratic procedures. Artists such as Hew Locke and Larry Achiampong criticized Quinn for lacking community engagement and for the approach of white artists toward BLM. Conversely, some, including Bernardine Evaristo, lauded the piece as an 'act of allyship'. Quinn is also known for earlier works like 'Sphinx' (2006) and 'History Painting'. Proceeds from the statue were intended for charities selected by Reid.