A survivor of breast cancer has been reunited with her statue, which was originally revealed at Brixton station in London 35 years ago. Joy Battick, who was 26 years old at the time, is portrayed in what is believed to be one of the earliest artworks depicting black individuals in England.
After locating Joy many years later, artist Kevin Atherton crafted a second life-size bronze figure of her, now at 62 years old, which was unveiled on Wednesday at Brixton station following Southeastern railway’s decision to restore the three original statues. The statue of the former South London resident now proudly stands opposite the original across the platform.
All four statues now stand once again, symbolizing the true identity of Brixton residents. Joy expressed humility in what she has learned through this experience. She was emotional and overwhelmed by the achievement, reflecting on the changes in Brixton over the years.
The statues, known as Platforms Piece, represent three Brixton locals and were originally commissioned by British Rail as part of an improvement project. They were recently restored after being removed in 2016 due to weathering. Joy mentioned her battle with cancer in 2018 and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to redo her statue.
Artist Kevin Atherton described the emotional journey of reconnecting with Joy after all these years. The public unveiling of Joy II, alongside other statues, marked a significant moment in celebrating Brixton’s cultural identity.
Joy hopes that the statues will hold meaning for the people of Brixton and convey a sense of community and representation. The statues were designed to reflect the passing trains at the station and pay homage to the area’s residents. Joy, a significant figure in Brixton, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the community’s history and ongoing presence.