Bringing together 25 ordinary diverse Midlanders who are extraordinary in their own, individual endeavours, a new statue - ‘Forward Together’ - was unveiled in Birmingham city centre to highlight the everyday people who makes the UK’s second city a ‘great city’.
The real people who are not usually celebrated, now have their own unique story to motivate and inspire others. From those who suffered domestic abuse, from cancer, to disabilities, the violence and blood-shed of the Holocaust and other tragedies, to simple acceptance in society, to racism, to mental health.
Inspired by the city’s motto – ‘Forward’ - which came to fruition following the incorporation of Birmingham as a borough in 1838, the Forward Together monument gathered pace. The monument visibly represents its multi-coloured multicultural society.
The monument was built in 14 days by a team led by artist Luke Perry, artist Pauline Bailey, author Nats Perry and musician H (Haldin Wright) and MC Raaj Shamji. With a background in public art, representing those who are underrepresented, Luke brought them together, all from the community, to build this the monument that addresses the imbalance of representation in public monuments.
Installed in Victoria Square, the steel statue supports a giant coat of arms of Birmingham. The 13-metre long structure also displays a three-metre-tall crest has quotes from Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah – ‘Nobody’s here without a struggle’ and ‘We all came here from somewhere’.
“I design the piece to represent my region,” Perry said. “I was asked to design a piece that represented my region. And, for me, the obvious beauty of the Midlands is its rich diversity.
“Growing up, my life has been made a more beautiful, cultural and exciting place because of the richness of difference that surrounded me, the diversity of life is where the colour and light was to be found. 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.
Zephaniah, called it; “a great masterpiece for diversity” and that it’s simply a monument that demonstrates what happens when people work together in supporting the city’s ethnicity and values.
Birmingham City Council leader, Councillor Ian Ward said: “I was really looking forward to unveiling 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 everyone.” An empowering piece that allows people to represent themselves that can be copied and adopted for anywhere in the world.
The monument – which will be displayed in the city centre for 12 months and possibly longer – was created for a competition that is due to be aired on TV in October.
