Believed to be a world first, an artist created a larger-than-life sculpture honouring women who wear Hijabs so that more members of the community in Smethwick can know that they are seen, valued and celebrated.
Global (20 September 2023) — An artist respected for honouring underrepresented communities recently undertook what’s believed to be a world first: a massive sculpture honouring women who wear Hijabs.
Titled ‘The Strength of the Hijab’, Luke Perry’s sculpture will go up in England’s Smethwick, Birmingham.
“The Strength of the Hijab is a piece which represents women who wear hijabs of the Islamic faith, and it’s really there because it’s such an underrepresented part of our community, but such an important one,” Perry explained of his work.
This has sparked important conversations about how art, especially in massive proportions, has the potential to empower communities simply through visualising appreciation.
In a world where there are dime-a-dozen sculptures of figures from the past, artists like Perry are solidifying honour in the present that inspires respect and representation for the future.
This matters as when we only see one type of person celebrated through art, communities of different cultures, faiths and heroes get put on the sidelines, which is far from in the best interests of a united world.
From a South African perspective where multi-culturalism is our identity, seeing other countries pick up on the spirit of unity and embrace the different puzzle pieces of identity makes us even more sure that our rainbow nation philosophy can inspire great change all over the globe.
Perry also emphasises that the Strength of the Hijab, commissioned by charity Legacy West Midlands is about choice.
The sculpture’s inscription reads:
The Strength of the Hijab
It is a woman’s right to be loved and respected whatever she chooses to wear.
Her true strength is in her heart and mind.
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