Ribbons, a sculpture celebrating nearly 400 inspirational Leeds women, voted for by members of the public, has been unveiled in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter.
Created by artist, Pippa Hale, Ribbons is located at the top of the gardens between Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus and Leeds Playhouse at the gateway to the SOYO development at Quarry Hill. Developed by Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Labour MP Leeds West and Pudsey, and led by Leeds Arts University in partnership with Leeds City Council and Leeds City College (member of Luminate Education Group), the project aims to celebrate women, past and present, who have contributed to the city.
The sculpture was unveiled at a launch event attended by Rachel Reeves, artist Pippa Hale, and many of the women included on the artwork. The event was chaired by Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University and included speeches from Pippa Hale and Rachel Reeves, alongside Sheila Howarth, Duty Manager at Leeds Playhouse who is featured on the sculpture. Sheila’s emotional speech, dedicated to her mother, demonstrated the drive and determination to improve inclusion in the arts both at the Playhouse and in the wider community, that led to her nomination.
The event, attended by invited guests, also included a performance from folk duo O’Hooley and Tidow, who performed ‘Beryl’ in homage to another of the sculptures featured women, cyclist Beryl Burton. Belinda O’Hooley is also included on the artwork.
The sculpture was officially opened to the public on Saturday 12 October at a lively event attended by hundreds of the nominated women alongside their families and friends. Award winning female barbershop chorus the White Rosettes, whose musical director Sally McLean features on Ribbons, performed in the Playhouse, whilst Leeds Arts University staff and students led craft activities for children. Women and their families were given the opportunity to meet artist Pippa Hale, and have their photograph taken with the sculpture.
“Making Ribbons has been the honour and privilege of my life and career. Meeting so many of the women over the weekend who are named on the sculpture has been humbling, uplifting, emotional and utterly joyful. For them, seeing their names immortalised in such a public way is an acknowledgement and recognition for their dedication, invention, courage and compassion. They - and the women before them - make Leeds what it is today. As Prof Griselda Pollock writes in her essay on the Ribbons website – it’s important that these women are named because names open doors to stories, and stories lead to change.”
Pippa Hale, Ribbons artist
The project is supported by LeedsBID, Caddick, Leeds Civic Trust, the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, the Henry Moore Foundation and Leeds Playhouse.
For more information about the sculpture please visit: www.ribbons-sculpture-leeds.co.uk