Ugandan Asian 50th Anniversary Public Art Commission

Leicester City Council has been working for the last 18 months to realise a permanent artwork sculpture in the city. This public art project is one element of Leicester Museums & Galleries UA50 programme, which commemorates 50 years since the arrival of thousands of Ugandan Asian families to Leicester.

Entitled Sculptural Gateway, the piece is the work of Midlands-based artist Anuradha Patel. Ms Patel explains; the steel uprights of Sculptural Gateway represent the joining of different communities impacted by the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972. The structure is connected at the top, symbolising the transition of a generation of people from one country to another.

“I am thrilled to have shared this unique opportunity to work in collaboration with the local communities and to help create an artistic vision which will provide a lasting legacy for future generations.” Anuradha Patel

Sculptural Gateway will be installed at Belgrave Circle Leicester. The development of the artwork has seen input from community members across Belgrave and the wider city. There has been much enthusiasm for the project, and this is a chance for supporters of the project to contribute to the surrounding area of the sculpture. The proposal is to create a welcoming environment that allows visitors to spend time and contemplate their journeys to Leicester and reflect upon their experiences living in the city.

Now available is a dedicated donation platform that will be live for a limited number of weeks. Sponsors are invited to contribute to landscaped elements surrounding the artwork, and have their family’s name engraved alongside the artwork. This is a chance to be an integral part of this landmark public art project.

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Sculptural Gateway was chosen from a number of shortlisted designs after an open artist call in 2022. The commission selection panel included Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, BBC Broadcaster Rupal Ranjani, Chair of Belgrave Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Association (BNCHA) Jaimini Bharakhada and Head of Leicester’s Museums and Arts Service Joanna Jones.