The striking Quotes for Hope art installation in Fitzalan Square in Sheffield City Centre continues to attract people from across the North.
Sheffield artist Sally Wilson created the concept of the twenty-foot high banners which feature a variety of quotes, with the sole aim to inspire and make residents of Sheffield smile during the pandemic.
Mrs Wilson said: “The project is for everybody, by everybody but led by creatives. Any piece of public art needs to resonate with everybody, and I was determined to create that connection through the piece.”
Mrs Wilson had worked in collaboration with DINA arts organisation, who commissioned her idea and whose venue also recently moved to Fitzalan Square.
They invited 36 creatives with a personal connection to Sheffield to provide uplifting comments and messages to the public.
The installation also features quotes from pre-schoolers at Ellesmere Children’s Centre, a community partner of DINA’s, who participated in a workshop on happiness, and each said what makes them feel happy.
Mrs Wilson said: “The nursery was still open in lockdown and it was great to get some simple but endearing quotes from the children. I hope to fulfil my initial obligation and include more community groups.
“There won’t be a light switch that turns normality back on. A lot of re-congregating and reassuring people needs to happen.”
Deborah Egan, Director at DINA said: “The installation is a series of pieces with the aim to engage with people in lockdown and allow them to engage not on Zoom but in a real-life environment instead.”
She described it as a social enterprise that uses the tools of arts and culture and lifts people’s spirits while also educating them.
Quotes for Hope art installation
She said: “The location of Quotes for Hope is near the bus station, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield train station. We wanted to put it as central and accessible to as many different people as we possibly could.
“The response from the public has seen people overjoyed and they have come from all over the north to see it. It’s such a simple idea but it’s caught people’s imagination and we hope to spread the art into more cities including Manchester.”
DINA have an arts and culture programme coming up, which includes drag brunches and a young producer’s scheme that will reach out to young women, members of LGBTQ+ groups and those of BAME backgrounds.