HUMAN MEMORIAL

“THE MONUMENT” (2025)

PRESS INFO: MORE COMING SOON

THE MONUMENT (2025) by the artists Yuen Fong Ling & Jon Cannon, is a permanent public artwork about the contested nature of art in the public realm, considering how we use memorials and monuments to represent our collective histories. The artwork wraps signage saying “WE ARE THE MEMORIAL AS THE BEARERS OF MEMORY, WE ARE THE MONUMENT” around an existing shop unit, and “PUSH”, “PULL”, door plates depicting an empty plinth, for the entrance to the space, to prompt us to see, touch, listen, and reflect on the act of remembering through our everyday interactions.  

“It was a fantastic opportunity for The James to collaborate with Jon and Yuen on this project. Together, we’ve created something truly iconic—both visually striking and deeply aligned with our values of design excellence and giving back to the community. We are excited for people to see it!” - Grant Sulkin (The James)

“Approaching Yuen about a project aimed at promoting a new perspective on Public Art, and the networks it could create has proven to be perfect, unlocking more potential. Yuen and Jon are not afraid of challenges; they are always visionary and creative.” - Anna Netri (Sheffield City Council)

THE MONUMENT is a development from a series of artworks “The Human Memorial” (2020-) and exhibition “We are the Monument” Graves Gallery (Jan 2024 - extended to December 2025), by the artist Yuen Fong Ling, exploring the alternatives to public memorials and monuments, responding to the removal of the Colston Statue in Bristol in the summer 2020, and the “Black Lives Matter” and “Rhodes Must Fall” campaigns. The series of artworks reassert how our bodies are the bearers of memory, and therefore how we are the memorial and the monument. A call to invest in people, here and now, and not in statues to past legacies. 

THE MONUMENT is situated on the corner of West Street and Rockingham Street, Sheffield, S1 4EQ. The shop space is the property of The James, Sheffield, and is available to local businesses. Please contact The James for more information.   

https://www.yuenfongling.com

https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/we-are-the-monument/

https://www.ourfaveplaces.co.uk/whats-on/we-are-the-monument/

https://thejames.uk/sheffield

The artists wish to thank The James, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Museums and Sheffield Hallam University for their support and guidance.