Sculpture unveiled at the African Landing Memorial at Virginia’s Fort Monroe was years in the making
An imposing bronze pair now stands at the African Landing Memorial on the Fort Monroe waterfront, marking the first public commemoration of the enslaved Africans who arrived in 1619. Unveiled on August 29, the six‑foot figures honor Antoney and Isabella, the couple whose child became the first documented person of African descent baptized in the Virginia colony.
The work is the creation of Florida‑based sculptor Brian R. Owens, who began developing the piece in 2019 with sketches and maquettes. Collaborating closely with the Fort Monroe Authority, descendants of the early colonial families, and museum director Francoise Bonnell, Owens fashioned the statues from imagination, as no living models existed. He describes the process as a 'mind‑bending challenge,' striving to capture both historical detail and a universal human moment.
Owens purposefully left the narrative open‑ended. Viewers may recognize the figures as Antoney and Isabella, or simply as a man and woman beginning a new life. He likens the experience to watching a film with friends—each person walks away with a personal interpretation. The sculptor hopes the piece offers a 'positive, forward‑looking' presence without preaching.
The bronze statues are the first of three major components planned for the African Landing Memorial, which will eventually include additional sculptural and interpretive elements tracing the journey from West‑Central Africa to early Virginia. The site is open from sunrise to sunset at 51 Fenwick Road, inviting visitors to reflect on a pivotal, though often overlooked, chapter of American history.