New Sculpture unveiled at Shankill Parade in Belfast
Date uploaded: January 9, 2012
New Sculpture unveiled at Shankill Parade, Belfast
On Friday the 9th of December, the Lower Shankill Community Association formally welcomed the new sculpture, 'Remember, Respect, Resolution', created by artist Lesley Cherry. The new 4.70m high, stainless steel triptych is part of the second phase of the Lower Shankill's ‘re-imaging’ project, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, through the Shared Communities Consortium. The project is aimed at toning down the war-like image of some communities in Northern Ireland.
The sculpture replaces a contentious mural of Oliver Cromwell which had been situated in the estate for several years. Artist Lesley Cherry said: 'I have built up a good working relationship with the community, having been involved in the first phase of Re-imaging in 2009. Following on from this, I worked on their previous artwork titled, Nothing About Us, Without Us, Is For Us, which was a direct comment on the community's views regarding the regeneration of the area. With this sculpture, the feelings of the community are again transferred through an artwork, by using strong, positive text. The use of steel references the industrial heritage of the city, and the clean simple lines, add to the positive and clear message that the sculpture conveys. I also recognise the hard work and negotiation that goes on behind the scenes in securing the removal of contentious murals and how the LSCA and the Re-imaging Fund have played a major role in continuing to address the issues surrounding paramilitary murals and slogans in a post conflict society.'
The £3.3m The Re-imaging Programme is funded by the Shared Communities Consortium, led by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and comprising OFMDFM, DSD, DCAL, Community Relations Council, PSNI, SOLACE (Society of Local Authority and Chief Executives), The Department of Justice, International Fund for Ireland and NI Housing Executive. The project was also assisted by Springvale Learning.
First Minister Peter Robinson attended the unveiling and said the new artwork 'reflected the minds of the people' in an area which had suffered so much during the Troubles.
