Located in the heart of the city of Bridgetown, Golden Square Freedom Park was officially opened on the eve of Barbados’ transition to becoming a parliamentary republic. The area is described as “the stomping ground” of National Hero The Right Honourable Clement Osbourne Payne – the pioneering trade unionist whose deportation to Trinidad in 1937 sparked the infamous labour unrest throughout the Caribbean in the 1930s. Designed by architects at Talma Mill Studio, the Square features public art installations, murals and public benches spotlighting the artwork of local cultural practitioners.
The 1937 Memorial Wall
This wall was built to commemorate the Barbadians who were injured or lost their lives during the labour riots of 1937. It was created by a team including iconic artists like Ras Ishi Butcher and Ras Akyem-I Ramsay along with up-and-coming practitioners Heshimu Akin-Yemi, Kwame Hunte and Ras Daniel Alleyne.
The Builders of Barbados Wall
The curved wall is made of bricks inscribed with the surnames of everyone living in Barbados and those who lived here in the past, with blank spaces representing those whose names have never been found. Many locals and visitors alike have flocked to the wall hoping to find their name engraved in clay.
