Sculptures in Leeds #5
Our final stop on our tour of Leeds sculptures was 'Hibiscus Rising' by Yinka Shonibare. Unveiled in 2023, it is a memorial to David Oluwale, a British-Nigerian man who at the time of his death was homeless and had mental health problems. He drowned in the River Aire in Leeds in 1969, after being chased and beaten by police, two of whom were subsequently convicted for their involvement in a sustained campaign of racial harassment and brutality.
The brightly coloured sculpture of an hibiscus flower is decorated with batik patterns symbolising joy, healing and beauty.
It's placed in a memorial garden in an area south of the river that is gradually being transformed into Aire Park. Old buildings are being demolished or repurposed and new office blocks are springing up. Our cities are constantly on the move!
How beautiful the Hibiscus sculptures ! I always buy dry hibiscus flowers in Egypt, for making tea. It's the national drink there and you are offered this delicious tea even in shops. The Hibiscus in Egypt look different and taste different too. I am always getting angry that old buildings are destroyed, and replaced with ugly concrete boxes. I loved London so much until they started to kill its soul for the Olympic games. Now it looks like Dubai with glass boxes and ugly buildings.
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