How We Made Forward Together

The Forward Together monument is designed by Black Country artist Luke Perry, who built it in 14 days in the midst of lockdown, asisted by Edward Cadbury Honorary Fellow Raaj Shamji, artists Haldin Wright, Pauline Bailey and Natalie Perry.

Luke has a background in public art, specifically that which represents the less seen but vital members of our society such as working people, women and those from minority groups. All of whom have been overshadowed and who consequently have little public visibility in this medium.

As a part of a competition for Sky Arts Luke was asked to design and build an artwork that represented the region of his birth. After a career which attempts to represent the less seen groups of society he was thrilled to be able to create a piece which represented many of those groups that make the Midlands powerful, skilled and unique.

The design incorporates 27 figures (including the two on the shield) but to do this correctly Luke needed the help of friend and lifelong charity worker Raaj Shamji, whose wide knowledge of multi faith/ culture and class groups proved vital for finding the 25 individuals.

Once chosen each person posed for a photograph of themselves pulling a prop chain, these photographs were then hand drawn and projected onto steel in a way that would show the beautiful details of their features, bold silhouette and be structurally secure as part of the artwork.

Each steel silhouette would then be cut out by hand, chipped, ground and welded to the chain which was to support the shield.

The work of the cutting and grinding was largely done by Raaj, Pauline, Haldin and Natalie who themselves are a representation of the beautiful mix of cultures and styles that enrich our region. This was in some ways new to them and each had to learn and master a new skill within the realms of steelwork and endure the hardships that come with the gruelling medium so associated with local heritage.

The shield was made in a similar way, welding and cutting fabrication over the two week period in which the figures were cut.

All of this was done at the Cradley Heath factory which has been in Luke’s family for over 100 years making forgings and steelworks that the original Victorian metalworker in the Forward coat tof arms would have been familiar with.

Created in six large sections so as to allow for transport and installation it now stands as one huge and iconic landmark on the site of the great Birmingham Political Union of 1832, a testament to the continued hopes for universal equality.

Forward Together Flickr gallery