A new sculpture by a Black Country artist — celebrating the city’s creativity, diversity and spirit — was unveiled in Birmingham yesterday (Sunday 4th July).
Forward Together is the work of Cradley Heath industrial artist Luke Perry, who previously designed street signs on the site of the former car factory as part of Longbridge Public Art Project.
The 13 metre long temporary artwork in Victoria Square depicts a line of 25 diverse figures straining together to raise a representation of the City’s Forward crest.
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Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Forward Thinking | Image: Jas Sansi
Artist Luke Perry works on the installation | Jas Sansi
Cllr Ward unveils Forward Together
One of Luke Perry’s works in Longbridge
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Luke’s background is in public art, representing those that are underrepresented, and his team created Forward Together to address the imbalance of representation in public monuments.
The installation was built over 14 days by Luke’s team – also representing the region’s diversity – who were trained at his Industrial Heritage Stronghold factory in Cradley Heath.
The Forward crest includes quotes from much-loved Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah’s work, We Refugees: “No one is here without a struggle” and “We all came here from somewhere.”
Cllr Ward unveils Forward Together | Jas Sansi
City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: “this impressive piece of work [which] reflects not just the diversity of our great city, but also what can happen when people work together.
“The fact that Luke has been inspired by local people with extraordinary stories to illustrate the diversity of our city and how we can come together to achieve things is a great message for Birmingham – and beyond.”
Artist Luke Perry works on the installation | Jas Sansi
Luke said: “In recent years, there seems to be a growing mood of opposition in the world: we all are encouraged to find our tribe, pick a corner and cram ourselves into a pigeonhole.
“Forward Together is a view of an alternative world, yet one that exists and is working if we choose to see it. We can all pull together to raise our society out of the shade.
“It was the greatest honour to be able to work with friends to create this piece and to celebrate people who do not have their share of credit.
“I hope this artwork is a small part of the massive movement to unite, rather than divide, our communities: we just need to see our common loves rather than our exclusive differences.”
