The David Oluwale Memorial Association, Leeds City Council and LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture are aiming to commission a sculpture by the world famous British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE, RA. It will be an awe-inspiring thing of beauty, 10 metres high, to be placed in the lovely Meadow Lane Green Space in Leeds 11, just south of the River Aire, close to Leeds Bridge. It will be installed in 2023 (funding permitting).  

We’d like to show you a smaller version of the sculpture (a maquette), some illustrations of the garden site, and a five-minute film about why Yinka Shonibare wants to make this sculpture. We want to create a special place in memory of David Oluwale.  

We’d like to hear your views about this piece of public art and to discuss in groups the issues that David's life and death in Leeds (1949-69) provoke us to consider: migration, mental ill-health, homelessness, police malpractice and racism - and what we all need to do to continue to help make Leeds more welcoming, more hospitable, more inclusive and more equal.  

Our idea is that this sculpture garden will be a special place that is for everyone regardless of race, class, religion and gender. We aim to run events with food, performance and music during the spring and summer months and, because the sculpture will attract visitors from all over the world, we hope that it’s a chance for many people to learn about the history of Leeds and what we are doing to make it a better place for all.  

We hope that your views will guide our work in the future.  

When and where

Please join us at one of the following events (all 6-7.30pm). Unfortunately, places are limited so please book using the links (there is no need to come to more than one event): 

• Tuesday 5th July at the Left Bank Centre, Burley
• Book here: https://bit.ly/DOGardenLeftbank  
• Thursday 7th July at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton 
  Book here: https://bit.ly/DOGardenSeven
• Thursday 12th July at the Old Fire Station, Gipton
• Book here: https://bit.ly/DOGardenOFS   

Acknowledgements  

This ambitious project is fully supported by Leeds City Council, and it is being managed by the LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture. The maquette of the sculpture was funded by Arts Council England, LEEDS 2023, the Scurrah Wainwright Trust, Lord and Lady Harewood’s Charitable Settlement, Ruth Bundey and many small private donations. To create Yinka Shonibare's new 10m-high sculpture we will need a great deal of support — nothing is certain until the funds are in place.