‘Emotional’ 13ft sculpture supporting Ukraine placed in …
A 13ft sculpture in support of Ukraine and marking one year since the Russian invasion has been unveiled in Southampton. The art piece, titled ‘I Want to Live’, stands in Guildhall Square.
It shows the silhouette of a Ukrainian soldier holding an infant whilst leading a mother and child to safety. Arranged by Southampton City Council and funded by GO! Southampton, the sculpture honours those who have fought for freedom and is there to raise awareness and funds.
Dan Barton, founder of the community project Standing with Giants, worked with artist Peter Naylor to create the artwork. The sculpture has also been displayed in Oxford City Centre, Salisbury Market Square, and Bournemouth before it made its way to Southampton.
QR codes are printed on the placard in front of the sculpture so that people are able to donate to Southampton Ukrainian Community Support Group and Ukrainian Relief. Southampton Ukrainian Community Support Group is a group of people who support families who come to Southampton from Ukraine.
Dasha from Southampton Ukrainian Community Group said: “It’s a big honour for me to visit such kind of exhibition, which is relating to my nation and country. And it is very important that thanks to these artworks people are sharing their care and solidarity with Ukraine!”
The Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Jacqui Rayment added: “This sculpture made me feel incredibly emotional. The thought-provoking design stands as a timely reminder of how life has drastically changed for Ukraine and how it has impacted our Ukrainian friends in Southampton and all over the world.
“Art can be a powerful way to reflect the challenges our societies face and here we are bringing together our tradition as a city of sanctuary of welcoming people from across the world and the opportunity to do this through art. I am proud that teams within Southampton City Council and GO! Southampton have worked with ‘Standing with Giants’, as it demonstrates that we as a city stand in solidarity with Ukraine and others adversely impacted by war.
“I urge those who are able, to take some time to visit the sculpture, reflect and donate to one of the many charities.”
Elsewhere in Hampshire, another charity still helping support Ukraine is New Forest for Ukraine[2]. New Forest for Ukraine is made of volunteers living in the New Forest – they collect and deliver donations and required aid directly to refugees in Poland and Ukraine.
They have a range of different drop off points that collect the donations and then they are sorted in their main hub before being sent off to those in need.
Donations that are urgently needed right now include:
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Torches and batteries
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Generators
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Food
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Toiletries
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Medical Supplies
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Travel Bags with wheels
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Clean duvets and pillows
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Seasonal clothing
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Good quality boots
The sculpture will remain in Southampton until next Wednesday (April 19).
References
- ^ Hampshire SWR customers told ‘do not travel’ to London Waterloo (www.hampshirelive.news)
- ^ New Forest for Ukraine (www.newforestforukraine.co.uk)