ART AND THE HUMAN STRUGLE

STATUE OF SAMUEL SHARPE

The Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe was born in 1801 and was the leader of a week long Christmas rebellion which began December 28, 1831 and spread rapidly throughout the parish of St. James. He was a Baptist Deacon and freedom fighter who paid the ultimate price for standing up for freedom. He was executed on May 23, 1832 for his role in the 1831-32 Emancipation War. He was one of Jamaica’s seven national heroes who stood up for our people in the time of slavery.

The statue of Sam Sharpe was unveiled On October 17, 1983 in the city of Montego Bay to mark Jamaica’s 21st year of independence. The square originally Charles Square was renamed Sam Sharpe Square in his honor. The statue was done by distinguish Jamaican Sculptor Kay Sullivan. The piece consists of five life-size bronze monuments to depict the struggles of that period.