It’s not long before we encounter the next globe sculpture on our journey of discovery: the work by Hannaa Hamdache, Sarah Mensah & Gabrielle Ubakanma (theme: Ecology of Existance).
We’re especially enamoured with this globe as it’s particularly close to our heart. When we heard about The World Reimagined project being developed back in 2020, it became clear in those early days that no-where in the East Midlands was being ear marked to host a globe. Bristol, yes; Manchester, yes; Liverpool, obviously. But the East Midlands?
As ever, it seemed that the region was being marginalised by some larger national interests so we thought, that in our role as Arts Council Bridge organisation for the East Midlands it was up to us to see if we could persuade some of the larger local authorities in the region to step up and support it. So, although approaches to Nottingham, Derby, Northampton and Lincoln all came to nothing, Leicester City Council, God Bless It, stepped up and found the resources and political will to support the programme, underwrite the financial requirements and make it happen.
We played our part in this process too by sponsoring one of the globes (guess which?) and involving one of our team, Hannaa Hamdache to produce the globe together with local young artists. Mission accomplished. Nearly.
Our sponsorship of the Globe has required us to underwrite its production using a combination of our own unrestricted reserves and public donations. Our trustees promised that for every £ we could raise through our campaigning, they would match it, £ for £ until we reached the target of £10,000.
We’re not there yet but are heading in the right direction: so any help you can offer would be much appreciated.
And even if you can’t donate your cash at this moment in time, please do come and visit all the globes (especially ours. Which we really love. As if you couldn’t guess.) – they’ll provide a fascinating journey of discovery not only around Leicester but across the world.
Dr Nick Owen MBE PLUS 