Brixton Train Station, London SW9 8JB, England
Imagine having the opportunity of being able to look at your future and know everything turns out fine.
In 1985, sculptor Kevin Atherton set out to capture 3 ordinary folk of Brixton in a public art formation entitled ‘Platform Piece’ which would stand at Brixton train station. Joy was one of the three. Juliet Rix’s book, London’s Statues of Women’ tells the story of Joy.
At that time working at the local leisure centre, Joy later remarked that she only agreed to take part to get out of a 7.30am pool side shift. What followed was a ticket office repurposed as a studio as Joy’s body was smothered in wet plaster and Vaseline in preparation for bronze casting. An event in itself no doubt, but Joy’s statue was the first public statue of an individual woman of colour in London. The three-piece installation was unveiled at Brixton station a year later.
Fast forward 30 years and Kevin discovers ‘Platform Piece’ missing a figure, with Joy almost hidden behind a safety fence. Time for a revamp he thinks. Kevin contacted Joy, who had recently finished cancer treatment. This time no petroleum jelly was involved, just a 3D scan. Rix’s book quotes Joy on what would become ‘Joy II’ – ‘Making the statue was a real tonic – it makes me feel I’m still in the game’.
And so, Joy I gets to gaze at Joy II, across the station platform, 37 years apart.
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