30 June/1 July Committee Foundation

During Open Monument Day 2026, there will be some special works of art to discover in Zaandam. For example, at the Anton de Kombrug , you can admire the murals *The New Ancestors* by the Zaandam-based artist Brian Elstak. The sculpture *Three Graces – A Dialogue* by artist Sokari Douglas Camp can also be viewed at Dominee Martin Luther Kingweg 157a. On Sunday 13 September, the 30 June–1 July Zaanstreek committee will be present on site from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm.

The New Ancestors

On 1 July 2013, 150 years after the abolition of slavery, the Anton de Kombrug in Zaandam was named after the Surinamese resistance fighter Anton de Kom. To connect the neighbourhood with its significance in this struggle for freedom, the pillars beneath the viaduct were painted back in 2022. Now, the wall opposite the underpass has also been given a new look: ‘The New Ancestors’ is a mural by the Zaan-based visual artist Brian Elstak, who, through this artwork, brings together the rich Black history and our shared future. The artwork depicts important and inspiring figures from the African diaspora. Heroes of the past and present, brought together from different eras to form a powerful family portrait. The image is also a tribute to photographer Art Kane’s iconic black-and-white photograph, ‘A Great Day In Harlem’ (1958), which immortalises jazz legends together.

‘Three Graces – A Dialogue’

On 30 June 2024, the day marking the commemoration of the history of slavery, the sculpture ‘Three Graces – A Dialogue’ by the artist Sokari Douglas Camp was unveiled in Zaanstad. The monument, situated in a public garden along Dr Martin Luther Kingweg, symbolises the commemoration and celebration of freedom and emancipation, and invites peaceful dialogue. Sokari Douglas Camp designed a monument featuring three seated figures on a bench, dressed in colourful robes. Through the red, yellow and blue colours of their clothing, the artist references the colours of the Surinamese flag and the Netherlands Antilles. The sculpture invites people to come together, engage in conversation and forge friendships. Through this sculpture, Sokari Douglas Camp aims to proudly highlight a culture that was suppressed during the era of slavery. The area surrounding the monument will be laid out so that people can sit around it.

Sokari Douglas Camp (Buguma, Nigeria, 1959) is a Nigerian sculptor and one of the leading international artists of the Nigerian diaspora. She creates colourful, monumental sculptures from steel. Her sculptures are narrative, expressive and often inspired by Nigerian culture and traditions, such as the Kalabari culture. The Kalabari people are known for their woodcarvings, textiles, masks and pottery. This craftsmanship is reflected in the craftsmanship and expression of her sculptures. However, the African diaspora, as well as political and social injustices, are also recurring themes in her work.