Just weeks after its debut, a stunning statue of a Black woman has become a must-see piece of art in the Netherlands city of Rotterdam.
Titled, Moments Contained, the bronze statue was created by British artist Thomas J Price and is located at the Rotterdam Centraal Station — which is one of the largest train stations in the Netherlands.
The 12-foot statue depicts a Black woman standing confidently as she sports a causal T-shirt, comfy sweats, and a pair of sneakers.
“Moments Contained is about the experience of being dismissed as ‘the other’, of the strength of the individual despite preconceived attitudes towards status and value,” Price said when describing the statue in a statement.
“The fictional woman can be described as stoic, but for me, she embodies resilience, self-confidence, and vulnerability. She stands upright, her hands casually in her pockets,” he continued. “My hope is that the people of Rotterdam will recognize themselves within the work and take ownership of it within a shared public space, providing a moment for deeper understanding, connection, and empathy.”
Viewers of the statue have been enamored with the simplicity and strength of the work. And the statue has become the breakout star at Rotterdam Centraal Station — with it being located in the square of the station.
“It’s nice to see something other than a white man in a suit,” a student named Maada told The Guardian. “I’ve never seen a bronze woman with normal clothes. It’s nice to recognize something and it’s good to put it in this place where everyone can see it.”
Even the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, has been inspired by the statue and the story it reveals to anyone who visits it. He told The Guardian that he expects it to become the most photographed image in the entire city.
“She’s not a heroine, a character with an illustrious past,” he said. “She is the future, our future, and this city is her home.”
Moments Contained was first revealed back in 2022. The Black woman depicted in the statue is actually the same fictional character Price featured in his 2019 statue Reaching Out.