As the UK and the rest of the world continue to battle COVID-19, Wild in Art has found a creative way to say thank you to the NHS workers who have been on the frontline of this gruesome pandemic. In collaboration with NHS Charities Together and renowned fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, Wild in Art has launched a new outdoor public art installation called “Gratitude”. The installation is comprised of 49 blank canvas statues that are set to be painted by 49 individual artists from across the UK who have submitted designs. With already three statues done by Birmingham artists MrASingh, Jess Perrin, and Nisha Grover, the strikingly decorated statues deliver messages of appreciation and recognition to the NHS and healthcare workers. The bright and joyful colours merged with hints of gold and other metallics make for an eye-catching start to the installation. When all 49 statues are done, they will give a collective image of heroes standing together yet apart—an image we’ve all become very familiar with.
While supporting the NHS, “Gratitude” is also giving a platform to a number of emerging artists. Struck particularly hard by the pandemic, artists are finally finding stability in this new age of distance. “Gratitude” is offering an opportunity for young local artists to meet like-minded creatives and work with sponsors to bring their work to a wider audience. As a reward for sharing the stories of healthcare workers through their artistic interpretation, these artists will have a chance to share their own stories, inspiring the next generation of illustrators, painters, and designers.
Once complete, the 49 statues will be exhibited in Birmingham on the NHS official birthday, July 5th. The installation will then take a free-to-visit tour of the UK and Northern Ireland. With more locations to be announced, the exhibit can be seen in Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, and London. The statues will say their final goodbyes in autumn of 2021 when they will be auctioned off with the proceeds donated to NHS Charities Together.
