Image: Sutton Mosaic Memorial Bench

Description: This memorial bench was installed on Trinity Square, Sutton High Street on Friday 4th March 2022 and unveiled in a dedication ceremony by the Mayor of Sutton Patricia Fivey. The mosaic design is a based on two sketches by each artist which they combined to make one whole. Hearts and flowers surround a main heart with angel wings and a golden thread connects the parts. Glass tessarae were used throughout apart from the hand-made ceramic letter tiles that read: "Never commit, excuse or remain silent" with a white ribbon tile to reflect the White Ribbon pledge. "Remembering women who died from male violence" The mosaic was made in reverse and set with anthracite grey grout then sealed with two layers of Eco Epoxy UVPoxy resin to protect the mosaic beneath. It took approximately 200 hours to design and make. The project was led by Sarah McGuinness, Chair of Reclaim Sutton's Streets and supported by Sutton Council and Successful Sutton BID Samia Tossio and Sarah McGuinness had connected over a yarn bombed Tree of Remembrance and a candle-lit vigil for Sabina Nessa in 2021. Conversations around making a permanent memorial followed and the mosaic memorial bench was the outcome. The unveiling coincided with the first anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard and International Women's Day. Coverage of the dedication ceremony made ITV London news with articles in many national and regional newspapers including The Independent and The Guardian.
Title: Sutton Mosaic Memorial Bench
Credit: Own work
Author: Samia Tossio
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Attribution Required?: Yes