People across the UK and beyond are being urged to sign up to an exciting global art project that has its beginnings on Westside.
The aim of The Connection, created by sculptor Luke Burton, is to install identical pieces of art in various countries around the world.
The completed sculptures will be in the form of a stainless-steel brick wall shaped into a ‘plus’ sign that points to the four corners of the Earth.
And the first section of wall is to be installed at Broadway Plaza – once the remainder of the 870 or so bricks making up the iconic structure have been bought by supporters.
At present, Broadway Plaza is home to a temporary piece of art, unveiled last year, which depicts a brick being laid in the wall.
An inscription underneath explains that Luke was inspired by a fascination of other cultures to bring people, communities and nations together through the beauty of art.
It urges individuals and businesses to have their name, message or company logo engraved on one of the bricks before being made into the + shaped wall at Broadway Plaza.
Broadway Casino was first on board to support the art project, with many subsequent pledges, but a number of bricks remain to be bought.
All the bricks, which are laser cut, welded and polished, will be made by Hepworth Fabrications, based in Redditch.
Luke said: “Once all the bricks are sold there will be a seven-day event where I build the wall, which will measure 10ft by 10ft, and approximately 6ft high.
“The finished wall will then replace what is currently in Broadway Plaza, which will move to the next location, possibly Dubai as it stands.
“It’s a multi-cultural sculpture so anyone from around the world can buy a brick. The response to the project is amazing, but we still need more people to buy a brick so the first wall can be built.”
Luke, whose work includes two statues in Birmingham commemorating the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, said he wanted The Connections project to spread the message that everyone was part of one human race whatever their race, gender or nationality.
Natal Chapman, Broadway Plaza centre manager, said they were “thrilled” to be part of the project.
“It’s great to see its success and we remain very proud to be involved with such an important piece of art.”
People can also support charity partners involved in the Broadway Plaza sculpture, namely Cancer Research UK, The Salvation Army, Dreams and Wishes, University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, and The Charlie Ramsey Research Fund. For more information, visit www.theconnectionworldwide.com
Main picture: The unveiling of the initial sculpture last year with the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Muhammad Afzal (left), sculptor Luke Burton (middle) and Denis Dowling, managing director of Broadway Casino, who made a £5,000 donation to the art project.
