We are helping to curate an exhibition on Leeds' history at the Leeds Museum later this year. This includes attending regular meetings at the former Mechanics Institute, just off Millennium Square.
Usually I take the train and walk. This means you'll pass through Mandela Garden, just in front of Leeds Civic Hall. In the garden there are huge sculptures of two arms that I have always noticed but never knew about its importance or the production of the artwork. I hope this blog will shed some light on both the gardens and the artwork.
The Mandela Gardens were originally laid out in mid-1983 and dedicated to Nelson Mandela, showing support for the anti-apartheid movement. The garden opening actually took place in December 1983 when Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in Cape Town.
Mandela Gardens in 1994 saw Mandela be released, South Africa hosting its first democratic election and Nelson Mandela became the first black president.
With 2,000 people as a heritage of the New Millennium, the area in front of Leeds Civic Hall has been redeveloped into Millennium Square. It currently hosts large concerts, Christmas markets and fun fairs, making it one of the city's great event spaces. As part of this redevelopment, Mandela Gardens was re-claimed by Leeds-based architect John Thorpe.
He added new plants, seating areas and water features for people to the picnic, but most importantly, the huge bronze structure.
The sculpture is called “Both Arms” and is by a sculptor called Kenneth Armitage. Armitage was born in Leeds in 1916 and went to Leeds College of Art before studying at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. He sadly passed away in 2002. Kenneth Armitage is best known for his abstract bronze sculptures, and Leeds' people have been exhibiting for six years in front of Mill Hill Chapel at the edge of City Square. You may remember another piece of “Walking Your Foot.”
“Both arms” were 16 feet tall, with the extended arms that were seen as conveying a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It was explained when it was set up as a memorial to friendship. When Mandela became president, I saw a lot of pictures and he often had his arm in what could be interpreted as forgiveness or welcome to all, regardless of race or belief. It is drawn with the I think the huge arm is an unconscious nod to Mandela himself, but on the stripe, my friend once said he reminded me of Beetlejuice!
On April 30, 2001, around 5,000 people were packed into Millennium Square, with some waiting more than five hours to see Nelson Mandela become Leeds' Honorary Freeman. He was introduced to people by newsreader John Snow. He said Mandela was “the greatest living example of forgiveness, hope and desire.”
The day is remembered due to the slightest gaff by Mandela when he speaks to the crowd at “Hello Liverpool” in Leeds' place. When he was told about his mistake, he immediately apologized.
Mandela's gardens were then redesigned. As Nelson Mandela himself commented this time “It's for me to see this garden remind me of my childhood and the happy days associated with it,” he added. He added that the garden is “one of the things that make me peaceful with the world and peaceful with the people of Leeds.”
The garden, which was used for its devotion in 1983, features plaques and was named in honor of the Nelson Mandela symbol of South Africa's apartheid at a ceremony held on December 10, 1983. Struggle is my life – June 26, 1961.
In the garden, some flower beds are planted with endemic plants from England and South Africa, but the water sculpture is said to be a symbol of the prison sticks at Nelson Mandela.
The garden is a small sea of tranquility in the heart of Leeds, and if you are in Leeds it is a great place to sit and reflect, breathe and inhale. If you don't know where it is, ask your big arm for directions!
