What is 'Gratitude'?
Our world has been turned upside-down by the pandemic as COVID-19 affected all of us in some way. The strain put on NHS workers in the UK has been intense as they dealt with mass volumes of patients. Whilst having to work under this pressure many of them were separated from their families and a number of our NHS workers lost their own lives. So many individuals stepped up to ensure we all got through this difficult time and this is why 'Gratitude' has been created as a gesture to raise money for the NHS Charities Together and to say a great big thank you to all key workers and volunteers.
Gratitude is a spectacular public art installation celebrating and honouring the contribution of NHS staff and all key workers. It is impactful and reflective and brings together 49 uniquely designed human form sculptures, each one supported by a business and created by artists to reflect stories and contributions of this unprecedented time.
The installation has been created by Wild in Art who are the leading producer of spectacular public art events that entertain, enrich, inform and leave a lasting legacy. It brings together businesses and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of uniquely painted sculptures.
The Blanket of Unity sculpture
Each sculpture has a story to tell and we have been extremely proud to work with our chosen artists Dan and Charlotte from Art + Believe to create 'The Blanket of Unity' sculpture. The much loved blanket is nurturing, keeps you warm, is always there for you and makes you feel safe. It perfectly emulates the amazing commitment, efforts and talents shown by all the incredible key workers across the UK. In gratitude to them, this vibrant, colourful, geometric blanket wraps around the sculpture to represent their commitment and unity to us all.
Where to find Gratitude?
Gratitude's first host city is Birmingham, moving onto Manchester, Edinburgh and then its final location is London. Unlike the other installations created by Wild in Art, these will not be a trail of sculptures around each city, but will be situated together and socially distanced.
To manage the number of people wishing to attend the installation tickets will need to be booked through Eventbrite and will be available shortly.
20 - 30 August: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham
03 - 12 September: St Peters Sq, Manchester
17 - 26 September: Newhailes House, Edinburgh
01 - 10 Oct: Southwark Cathedral, London
12 October: Auction in London - Southwark Cathedral
To find out more about Gratitude please visit www.thisisgratitude.co.uk or www.wildinart.co.uk. If you want to learn more about NHS Charities together please visit their website www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.
