Spheres of influence: how artworks hope to ‘help improve our understanding of dark period of history’
TRAIL OF 10 HUGE GLOBE SCULPTURES TO BE PLACED AROUND CITY
A TRAIL of 10 huge globe sculptures will be dotted around the city from tomorrow.
The trail is part of national art education project The World Reimagined, which aims to transform understanding of the transatlantic slave trade.
Each of the globes is designed by a new or globally-recognised artist.
With themes such as “Mother Africa” and “The Reality of Being Enslaved”, the fibreglass globes will be installed at locations including Leicester Railway Station, the Clock Tower, the Highfields Centre and Victoria Park.
Local schools have got involved in the project too, either by taking part in a poetry programme or by making their own mini globes that will go on display at a number of city centre venues, also from Friday.
The mini globes will be at Curve, Highcross, Beta X and the LCB Depot.
Deputy city mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: “These impressive globe sculptures will not only provoke debate and help improve our understanding of the impact of the slave trade, but they will also bring a spectacular splash of colour and new interest to the streets of Leicester this summer.
“This is a good opportunity for our city to be part of a national art and educational project and we look forward to welcoming The World Reimagined to the city’s streets.”
Assistant city mayor Councillor Sue Hunter, who leads on work to tackle racism and disadvantage, said: “This national project will help improve our understanding of a dark period of history that is perhaps not talked about enough – and by learning about the mistakes of the past, we can ensure they aren’t repeated in the future.
“Today, Leicester’s diversity is its strength and I hope that this stunning trail of artworks will inspire us to come together and imagine a future where everyone is treated with dignity – and where equality, diversity and racial justice are universally cherished.”
One of the artists taking part in the project is Leicester-based Jarvis Brookfield.
Jarvis, who had never painted on a three-dimensional canvas before, relished the opportunity to work on a spherical shape.
He said: “The sphere has so many connotations – evoking the
Earth, unity, love and life – that I loved the challenge of working with a globe for the first time. But as someone who is bi-racial, this project gave me an opportunity to be part of a collective effort to turn the atrocities inflicted by our extended family on our ancestors into something beautiful. “Despite the tremendous difficulties experienced by our ancestors throughout history, the human spirit continues to persevere and to rise above adversity – and that’s what I wanted to communicate through my design. I hope my work will offer people an opportunity to reflect on the things that unite us, as opposed to what divides us, and I hope that all 10 globes will serve as a source of inspiration and learning for all the people who will be interacting with these works on the streets of Leicester.”
The World Reimagined will take place in Leicester until October 31. Art trails will also be happening in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Swansea – with more than 250 schools and colleges taking part.
Leicester’s diversity is its strength and I hope that this stunning trail of artworks will inspire us to come together