Heritage Talk: THE ‘FINAL JOURNEY’ OF MARY ANN MACHAM

We are pleased to welcome back artist Keith Barrett to hear about the final stages of his sculpture of the escaped enslaved woman Mary Ann Macham, who fled a plantation in Virginia, enduring a treacherous sea journey before arriving in North Shields where she lived over 60 years in freedom.

Keith has spoken twice previously at the Old Low Light, first, early in the project when he explained that the 10ft high sculpture would portray Mary Ann at the bow of the ship on her journey to freedom and later, when the sculpture was progressing, describing the traditional carving methods he was using and how specific details were being incorporated.

We look forward to now hearing about the final stages of completing the sculpture so that it was ready for casting in bronze, including the complexities of this process, which also involved transporting it to Lancashire.

Keith, who does work across the UK and sometimes internationally and has lived in the town for the past 35 years, began the sculpture after being successful in a tendering process by North Tyneside Council for new public art commissions.

He explained: “Mary Ann was among the suggestions of heritage subjects listed within the tender, and I was inspired by her story. She is a lesser-known person in the history of North Shields, and I believe that it is important to celebrate her life and ensure that future generations are reminded of her bravery in escaping a life of slavery, and of how she was welcomed into the local community.”

The sculpture has special significance for the Old Low Light because Mary Ann’s story was highlighted in a broader exhibition, ‘Breaking Chains’, at the centre in 2019, which explored the role of local people in campaigning to abolish slavery.

The Old Low Light was pleased to share its research with Keith and volunteers have kept in close contact with him as the project has progressed. It is also grateful to Steph Towns who first brought the story to our attention.

Trustee and volunteer Nina Brown, who coordinated the exhibition, said: “I feel very privileged to have watched the creation of this wonderful sculpture, which will be a permanent and very fitting tribute to Mary Ann’s strength and resilience during her journey to freedom.

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