About Us - Mandela8

What is Mandela8 ?

Mandela8 is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Its initial vision is to see a permanent artwork that functions as an unique performance, conversation and contemplation space established at a Toxteth Liverpool 8 heritage site, to celebrate, commemorate and pursue the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s outstanding achievement for humanity.

The project will help to conserve and widely share existing historical and contemporary heritage, support community development and cohesion, produce a series of creative commissions and collaborations, with widespread community and educational engagement and participation.

This work will be located on an exceptional site of Heritage significance, a man-made island in the ornamental lake in Grade 2 listed Princes Park (Joseph Paxton, Architect). In the unique setting a great artwork will contribute valuably to the experience of this place for the communities of Liverpool, many of whom have been involved in the development of the ideas and designs, whilst also becoming a significant and renowned landmark for the City.

Nelson Mandela’s importance to Liverpool is well documented, and in Toxteth, the area known as Liverpool 8, Mandela was, and remains, a highly significant role model.

“Wayward is deeply honoured to be selected to design the Nelson Mandela Memorial, Liverpool. This important remembrance is for future generations to discover how the men and women in the great City of Liverpool stood with Nelson Mandela throughout his struggle to end apartheid and heal a fractured nation. The design of the memorial reflects upon the gardens Mandela tended to while incarcerated, notably in oil drums at Pollsmoor Prison, which stood as symbols of resistance, tools for resilience, spaces for reflection and platforms for community.” – Heather Ring, Director, Wayward

Visit Wayward

Wayward, commissioned by Mandela8, developed the stunning Memorial design, in consultation with local communities and stakeholders and it has many synergies with Nelson Mandela’s journey:

The Memorial will be installed on an island in Princes Park and Nelson Mandela was incarcerated on Robben island for 18 years;
The Island was previously connected to the mainland in the Park by a bridge and Nelson Mandela’s life works and struggles were all about building bridges, connecting people and breaking down barriers;
The Memorial will be installed in a garden setting and Nelson Mandela established gardens in Pollsmoor prison and it was one of the few things he could control;
The Memorial will be made of limestone and limestone was the stone Nelson Mandela quarried in prison;
There are 32 cylindrical pillars for seating and Nelson Mandela used 16 oil drums cut in half to cultivate 32 planters to make his gardens in prison. These planters were cleverly used to hide and get his manuscripts out of prison. 32 also represents the size of a UK classroom;
The pavilion represents the tutor and in prison people would gather round in a circle to listen and be taught disguising or hiding the tutor.