Well what an amazing weekend! I cannot express how wonderful it was to meet some of the women whose names are included on Ribbons. For so long they’ve been names on a spreadsheet and to finally meet them and their families was a real privilege – humbling, uplifting, emotional and utterly joyful. There was a real party atmosphere – laughter, chatter, music (by @ohooleyandtidow and @the_whiterossettes), tears and a lot of love in the air! As @emma.bearman said a new community – or Ribbonhood – has been created.
For so many women, a permanent, public acknowledgement of their hard work and commitment to family, community and work that will be there for future generations to see and read about means so much. These are the women who make Leeds what it is today. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and we ‘jam the door open’ so that others may follow – so says Eileen Taylor @cllereileen (the first black Lord Mayor of the City of Leeds 2019-21).
So here’s to you women of Leeds – both seen and unseen, past and present. I salute each and every one of you.
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A video about the project later this week will be screened at the Leeds Civic Trust panel discussion on Thursday 17 October at Leeds Playhouse. In the meantime you can watch a ‘making of’ at www.ribbons-sculpture-leeds.co.uk
@rachelreevesmp @leedsartsuni @leedscitycollege @leedscouncil @leedsbid @caddickconstruction @leedscivictrust @henrymoorefdn_grants
#lizandterrybramallfoundation #feredaycylinders @fishfabrications @skyhooksengineering @woodlogistics @gandr_electrical_leeds @flexipave @sheilahowarth @jojokelly105 #NatashaSayce-Zelem @homelessstreetangels @kathrynsargentbespoke@artistsunionengland @royal_sculptors #publicart #leeds #visitleeds #feminism #yorkshire #sculpture
Photos by @juleslisterphotography, Josh Hall and @lazerbeam_productions
