Statues - Hither & Thither |
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Leeds
West Yorkshire Yorkshire & Humberside Waterfront between Crown Point Bridge and Knight Bridge |
Heroes of Leeds Trail |
Ged Walker
2019-20 |
Eight large-scale laser-cut steel portraits mounted onto an empty fence and wall area, depicting portraits of significant people from the Leeds's past and present. It celebrates the achievements of and contributions made by Heroes from Leeds. The eight panels focus each on a different theme and linked hero. The themes are health, social activism, waterways, education, nature, creativity, innovation and sport. The work aims 'to make a real visual impact to enrich the visual and educational experience' of commuters, families, workers and visitors using the route from the Leeds Dock area into Brewery Wharf and Leeds city centre.
Unveiled at the Leeds Waterfront Festival, 29 and 30 June 2019.
 WATERWAYS john smeaton John Smeaton is often regarded as the father of civil engineering, and was an English civil engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals (including the Calder & Hebble Navigation), harbours and lighthouses. John Smeaton (Austhorpe, Leeds 1724 - Austhorpe 1792), English civil engineer (Wikipedia). |
 EDUCATION We want you to help fill this space. If you
UPDATE: In July 2020 the face is filled in. See below.
know a Leeds resident, past or present, who has shaped the way we learn today we want you to nominate them by emailing info@artworkscreative.org.uk You could see their face appearing here soon... |
 SOCIAL ACTIVISM leonora cohen Leonora Cohen was a British suffragette and trade unionist. Known as the "Tower Suffragette" (after smashing a display case in the Tower of London) she also acted as a bodygard for Emmeline Pankhurst. She lived to the age of 105 and contributed to the second wave of feminism in the 1970s. Leonora Cohen (born Leonora Throp, Leeds 1873 - Colwyn Bay 1978), British suffragette and trade unionist (Wikipedia). |
 ENVIRONMENT john barran John Barran was fundamental to the public ownership (including the re-mortgaging of) his own home) of Roundhay Park in Leeds, in recognition of the benefits of public green space at a time when he recognised that Leeds was a smoky, heavily industrialised city. Sir John Barran, 1st Baronet (Wandsworth, London 1821 - 1905), British clothing manufacturer and Liberal Party politician; Mayor of Leeds 1870-71 (Wikipedia). |
 HEALTH charles turner thackrah A meticulous documenter of illness across people who undertook a wide range of work, Charles Turner Thackrah's suggestions on how health could be improved through various adjustments helped to develop the field of occupational medicine. He was also one of the founders of Leeds School of Medicine. Charles Thackrah (Leeds 1795 - 1833), English surgeon; pioneer in the field of occupational medicine (Wikipedia). |
 Photo sent by Tim and provided by one of his colleagues at Leeds City Council. INNOVATION joseph aspdin Hunslet-born Joseph Aspdin was the inventor of Portland Cement, which has been fundamental to progress within the construction industry, and has shaped the way we live today. Joseph Aspdin (Leeds 1778 - Wakefield 1855), English cement manufacturer who obtained the patent for Portland cement on 21 October 1824 (Wikipedia). |
 SPORT yona knight-wisdom Educated in the city, Yona Knight-Wisdom has competed at the Olympics for Jamaice. He says of himself "I am a 190cm tall, 90kg heavy, black diver... Watch a diving event and that is not something you will see very often." Yona Knight-Wisdom (Leeds 1995), Jamaican diver (Wikipedia). |
 THE ARTS ivy benson Ivy Benson was a trail blazing saxophonist and bandleader, and a pioneer of equal pay and recognition for female musicians in the musci industry. 'Ivy Benson and Her All Girls Band' were international headliners and the house-band at the BBC, in the 1940s despite facing misogyny and sabotage. Ivy Benson (Holbeck, Leeds 1913 - Clacton-on-Sea 1993), English musician and bandleader, who led an all-female swing band (Wikipedia). |
UPDATE Photo sent by Tim and provided by one of his colleagues at Leeds City Council
EDUCATIONgertrude paul Gertrude Paul was the first black headteacher
in Leeds, and one of the founders of Leeds West Indian Carnival. She was a co-founder and President of the United Caribbean Association in Leeds, and also served on the Commission for Racial Equality 6 September 1934 - 7 January 1992 Gertrude Maretta Paul (Parson's Ground Village, St. Kitts 1934 - St. Kitts 1992), teacher and advocate for the British Caribbean community in Yorkshire (Wikipedia). |
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