About Survivors for Survivors, a memorial by Rebecca Hawkins

Talos Team
11 hours ago
2 min read

Petrified Survivors is a memorial to survivors of CRSV (Conflict Related Sexual Violence) and part of a project involving more than 20 groups in conflict zones around the world. The collaborating organisations said it was aimed at "breaking the silence and stigma" over sexual violence in conflicts, including rape, forced prostitution and slavery.

"This was not about political statements, or about which country had done this to which country, this is a memorial simply about survivors for survivors. To be asked to create a statue that stands in a public place for people that have no voice, is just wonderful."

— Rebecca Hawkins, Sculptor of Petrified Survivors

The sculpture, designed by Rebecca Hawkins here in Andover, was created during a three-year process that included gathering stories and testimonies from survivors and human rights organisations in over 30 countries across the world. The 2m-tall sculpture depicts a petrified woman with an infant strapped to her back, ensnared by strangler figs and with her hands tied behind her. She stands rooted to the spot and in the 'train' of vines are messages and motives, like flowers, birds, cultural symbols and engravings of survivor quotes — stories representing different survivor groups and signifying the dreams that have been taken from them. The gaps between the vines represent their invisible scars.

Exploring strength and courage and giving a voice for marginalised or stigmatised communities, the word “petrified” refers to the survivors’ overwhelming fear experienced during violent crimes, rendering them unable to move. It is a feeling deeply felt by survivors of sexual violence.

The sculpture is now all set to be moved from us here at Talos Foundry, where it was cast, to the British Ambassadors Residence in The Hague where it will be officially unveiled in July. A true labour of love this was a long and complicated moulding, with a breakdown to over 40 separate elements to be cast in bronze and welded back together to create the final structure.

Sculptor Rebecca Hawkins working the detailed symbols and stories into the wax

Andrew from Talos Art Foundry welding the intricate story telling sections together. Image: Rebecca Hawkins

Now June the statue is ready to be collected and transported by MTec to its next destination. We look forward to sharing images of the final piece once it has been unveiled.