Bronze sculpture "OLAUDAH EQUIANO - African, slave, author, abolitionist" (2006) by Christy Symington MRSS acquired into the permanent Parliamentary Art Collection UK in 2019. “This work is an important acquisition for the Collection as it helps us tell and celebrate the story of an important political figure and survivor of British slavery who helped to change legislation and public opinion." Alison McGovern MP / Chair of the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art.
In the late eighteenth century Olaudah Equiano (c.1745–1797) became one of the most prominent and influential black voices of the abolition movement in Britain. Through his writings and public presence Equiano helped reshape attitudes towards slavery and the slave trade. He became a prominent figure of the abolitionist movement and published his autobiography 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Gustavus Vassa, The African' in 1789. His account of enslavement and freedom captivated and shocked British audiences.