Ideas sought for artwork to mark 50 years in city
ARTIST WANTED TO HELP WITH UGANDA-ASIAN MILESTONE
A CALL has been made for artists to submit ideas and designs for a public artwork that will form part of a commemoration to mark 50 years since Ugandan Asians arrived in Leicester.
The piece of public art is expected to be installed at Belgrave Circle, at the gateway to the city’s Golden Mile.
It will mark both the arrival of the Ugandan Asians to start a new life in the city and the contribution they have made to Leicester.
Those wishing to respond must include a covering letter stating why they are interested in the commission, illustrations of their proposed design, a one-page Word document explaining how the design fulfils the brief, a CV and links to photographic images of previous public work.
Councillor Piara Singh Clair, deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, said: “This 50th anniversary is a real milestone in the story of Leicester’s Ugandan Asian community, who have helped shape the city’s identity to this day.
“We are very keen to hear from people about their ideas and designs for this public artwork, and will be working closely with the city’s Ugandan Asian community to ensure the final design both commemorates the events of 1972 and keeps the story alive as part of living history for future generations.
“It is also vital that the artwork can be something that will play a role in events such as the Diwali celebrations held at the Golden Mile each year.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to create a new piece of public art linked to such an important part of Leicester’s recent past and I very much look forward to seeing people’s designs.”
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery will host a Uganda 50 exhibition, in conjunction with community arts group Navrang, as the centrepiece of commemorations.
It is due to open in July. Curve Theatre is also staging a community production, Finding Home – Leicester’s Ugandan Asian Story at 50, that will run from July 29 to August 6.
The production will feature three new short plays by local writers whose families arrived in the UK from Uganda. Full details of the commission, and what is expected from the designs, is set out on the Leicester Museums website.
To be considered for the commission, interested artists must submit an expression of interest by midnight on Sunday, May 15, to the address below with subject header “Ugandan Asian 50th Anniversary Public Artwork”.