Hibiscus Rising: Creating a memorial for David Oluwale with Yinka Shonibare CBE

11 Sep 2022-8 Jan 2023

Overview

The Tetley presents a new exhibition in collaboration with The David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) and LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture, imagining the future of David Oluwale’s legacy in Leeds.

The exhibition centres around a maquette created by artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA as part of a proposal for a public memorial for David Oluwale. The proposed artwork, Hibiscus Rising, will stand at 9.5 metres high, and be located in Leeds’ South Bank next to the Oluwale footbridge on Meadow Lane.

This major new public artwork will tell a story of hope, growth and renewal for the city and raise awareness of Oluwale’s story.

Hibiscus Rising has been commissioned by DOMA to honour the life of the British Nigerian and Leeds resident, who drowned in the River Aire on 18 April 1969 after being systematically harassed by members of the Leeds City Police force.

Artists