Felicia Browne was the first British International Brigadier to die in the Spanish civil war in August 1936. She was in Spain before the war started and later joined the Communist militia. She was also a recognised artist of the British trade union movement and travelled to Germany where she witnessed the rising of fascism first hand. She worked with image and sculpture. She was also from Surrey.

More Information on Felicia Browne

It is fitting then that Surrey UNISON and Outa-Space teamed up to create the project Solidarity Surrey and create a memorial for her and all those that have passed and given service to the working class struggles. 

The sculptured memorial will be Inaugurated on workers memorial day on the 28th of April 2025 at the UNISON memorial gardens at Surrey county council in Reigate. 

Importantly the memorial was created with the activists of the union branch. About 30 took part in sculpture workshops carving the art work themselves. This doubled as a bonding day for the activists adding collective strength to their future struggles. The local activist will also be involved in putting the memorial in place in March 2025. The memorial will include a similar sculpted figure from the Solidarity Park monument in Catalunya and also porthole reflecting the art work of Felica Browne. It is hoped that after the Inauguration other educational and workers movement organisations will get involved to extend the reach of the project towards young people learning the history of the international brigades and creating art.

Union Activist make the memorial

When making memorials to artists and activists like Felicia it is key to express what they stood for not just in the art itself but also the process. Therefore the participation aspect was important in elevating the historical and educational story of one of Surrey’s most important working class heroes.

Felica was strong, brave and above everything gave her life to the struggle against fascism that should be a beacon to us all today in combating the rise of far right ideologies.

Some Images from the first participation sessions…

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