Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney memorial: Modes of contemporary public memorising and the role of human image

Ralf Sander

Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney memorial: Modes of contemporary public memorising and the role of human image

Research output: Non-textual form › Installation

Abstract

Having been a figurative sculptor and actively involved in the debate of realism and figurative sculpture in the 1980ties and 90ties Sander rethinks modes of memorising in public. In 2000 R.Sander decided not to make figurative, so called realistic sculptures anymore.Recent developments in public art and the Oxford Debate between Elijah Lawal, sociologist and former Guardian columnist Professor Gary Younge, and Alex von Tunzelmann debate whether the statues of fallen idols should stay or go inspired Sander to continue his search for public memorizing trough art, using the human form. (Fallen Idols: History is not erased when statues are pulled down. It is made. Hardcover – 8 July 2021by Alex von Tunzelmann).

He observed that figures are toppled and replaced by artworks using the same artistic style.

The grounds at Belfast City Hall have memorials to the history, but only male representatives except Queen Victoria, associated with the city.

Belfast City Council voted in favour of the installations in 2021 and decided for the design proposal through a two-stage public art competition in 2023 following the National Guidelines for Public Art Scheme including Public Art Advisory Groups. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news/artist-sought-to-design-statues-of-mary-ann-mccrac and https://visualartists.ie/public-art-practice-for-artists-and-commissioners/

Sander designed two sculptures that will offer an opportunity to honour Women that impacted the history of Belfast. It will lead to more diversity and a chance for more identification and acceptance. Having a physical representation of two remarkable woman in such a prominent place in Belfast can only help to generate more awareness and to make the city hall grounds more reflective of our contemporary society. This project is an opportunity to make an artistic statement and fill a vacancy of public celebration of historical female achievements in front Belfast City Hall, that will lead to more diversity, equal access to education and a more inclusive depiction of the city`s history. Both women fought against injustice, both women fought against inequality, they fought for rights we take for granted today. The statues of two historic women activists have been unveiled at Belfast City Hall to mark International Women's Day and the event was described as historical for Belfast from different sources.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Belfast City Hall
Size	2.8m x 3 m x 3m
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 8 Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

Margaret Ward, "Conflicting Interests: The British and Irish Suffrage Movements", Feminist Review, No. 50 (Summer 1995), pp. 127–147

Kelly, Vivien (24 January 2013). "Irish Suffragettes at the time of the Home Rule Crisis". historyireland.com. History Ireland. Retrieved 15 September 2020.

"Socialist Party archives - The Belfast Linen strike of 1911". www.oocities.org. Retrieved 13 March 2024.

Ryan, Louise; Ward, Margaret (2007). Irish Women and The Vote: Becoming Citizens. Wales: Irish Academic Press. pp. 195–200, 202–205. ISBN 978-0-7165-3393-1.

Keywords

Public art
Figurative Public Art
Sculpture
feminist activism
Abolition
slavery
human rights
history and culture

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

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title = "Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney memorial: Modes of contemporary public memorising and the role of human image",

abstract = "Having been a figurative sculptor and actively involved in the debate of realism and figurative sculpture in the 1980ties and 90ties Sander rethinks modes of memorising in public. In 2000 R.Sander decided not to make figurative, so called realistic sculptures anymore.Recent developments in public art and the Oxford Debate between Elijah Lawal, sociologist and former Guardian columnist Professor Gary Younge, and Alex von Tunzelmann debate whether the statues of fallen idols should stay or go inspired Sander to continue his search for public memorizing trough art, using the human form. (Fallen Idols: History is not erased when statues are pulled down. It is made. Hardcover – 8 July 2021by Alex von Tunzelmann).He observed that figures are toppled and replaced by artworks using the same artistic style. The grounds at Belfast City Hall have memorials to the history, but only male representatives except Queen Victoria, associated with the city.Belfast City Council voted in favour of the installations in 2021 and decided for the design proposal through a two-stage public art competition in 2023 following the National Guidelines for Public Art Scheme including Public Art Advisory Groups. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news/artist-sought-to-design-statues-of-mary-ann-mccrac and https://visualartists.ie/public-art-practice-for-artists-and-commissioners/ Sander designed two sculptures that will offer an opportunity to honour Women that impacted the history of Belfast. It will lead to more diversity and a chance for more identification and acceptance. Having a physical representation of two remarkable woman in such a prominent place in Belfast can only help to generate more awareness and to make the city hall grounds more reflective of our contemporary society. This project is an opportunity to make an artistic statement and fill a vacancy of public celebration of historical female achievements in front Belfast City Hall, that will lead to more diversity, equal access to education and a more inclusive depiction of the city`s history. Both women fought against injustice, both women fought against inequality, they fought for rights we take for granted today. The statues of two historic women activists have been unveiled at Belfast City Hall to mark International Women's Day and the event was described as historical for Belfast from different sources.",

keywords = "Public art, Figurative Public Art, Sculpture, feminist activism, Abolition, slavery, human rights, history and culture",

author = "Ralf Sander",

note = "Margaret Ward, {"}Conflicting Interests: The British and Irish Suffrage Movements{"}, Feminist Review, No. 50 (Summer 1995), pp. 127–147 Kelly, Vivien (24 January 2013). {"}Irish Suffragettes at the time of the Home Rule Crisis{"}. historyireland.com. History Ireland. Retrieved 15 September 2020. {"}Socialist Party archives - The Belfast Linen strike of 1911{"}. www.oocities.org. Retrieved 13 March 2024. Ryan, Louise; Ward, Margaret (2007). Irish Women and The Vote: Becoming Citizens. Wales: Irish Academic Press. pp. 195–200, 202–205. ISBN 978-0-7165-3393-1.",

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language = "English",

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N1 - Margaret Ward, "Conflicting Interests: The British and Irish Suffrage Movements", Feminist Review, No. 50 (Summer 1995), pp. 127–147 Kelly, Vivien (24 January 2013). "Irish Suffragettes at the time of the Home Rule Crisis". historyireland.com. History Ireland. Retrieved 15 September 2020. "Socialist Party archives - The Belfast Linen strike of 1911". www.oocities.org. Retrieved 13 March 2024. Ryan, Louise; Ward, Margaret (2007). Irish Women and The Vote: Becoming Citizens. Wales: Irish Academic Press. pp. 195–200, 202–205. ISBN 978-0-7165-3393-1.

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N2 - Having been a figurative sculptor and actively involved in the debate of realism and figurative sculpture in the 1980ties and 90ties Sander rethinks modes of memorising in public. In 2000 R.Sander decided not to make figurative, so called realistic sculptures anymore.Recent developments in public art and the Oxford Debate between Elijah Lawal, sociologist and former Guardian columnist Professor Gary Younge, and Alex von Tunzelmann debate whether the statues of fallen idols should stay or go inspired Sander to continue his search for public memorizing trough art, using the human form. (Fallen Idols: History is not erased when statues are pulled down. It is made. Hardcover – 8 July 2021by Alex von Tunzelmann).He observed that figures are toppled and replaced by artworks using the same artistic style. The grounds at Belfast City Hall have memorials to the history, but only male representatives except Queen Victoria, associated with the city.Belfast City Council voted in favour of the installations in 2021 and decided for the design proposal through a two-stage public art competition in 2023 following the National Guidelines for Public Art Scheme including Public Art Advisory Groups. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news/artist-sought-to-design-statues-of-mary-ann-mccrac and https://visualartists.ie/public-art-practice-for-artists-and-commissioners/ Sander designed two sculptures that will offer an opportunity to honour Women that impacted the history of Belfast. It will lead to more diversity and a chance for more identification and acceptance. Having a physical representation of two remarkable woman in such a prominent place in Belfast can only help to generate more awareness and to make the city hall grounds more reflective of our contemporary society. This project is an opportunity to make an artistic statement and fill a vacancy of public celebration of historical female achievements in front Belfast City Hall, that will lead to more diversity, equal access to education and a more inclusive depiction of the city`s history. Both women fought against injustice, both women fought against inequality, they fought for rights we take for granted today. The statues of two historic women activists have been unveiled at Belfast City Hall to mark International Women's Day and the event was described as historical for Belfast from different sources.

AB - Having been a figurative sculptor and actively involved in the debate of realism and figurative sculpture in the 1980ties and 90ties Sander rethinks modes of memorising in public. In 2000 R.Sander decided not to make figurative, so called realistic sculptures anymore.Recent developments in public art and the Oxford Debate between Elijah Lawal, sociologist and former Guardian columnist Professor Gary Younge, and Alex von Tunzelmann debate whether the statues of fallen idols should stay or go inspired Sander to continue his search for public memorizing trough art, using the human form. (Fallen Idols: History is not erased when statues are pulled down. It is made. Hardcover – 8 July 2021by Alex von Tunzelmann).He observed that figures are toppled and replaced by artworks using the same artistic style. The grounds at Belfast City Hall have memorials to the history, but only male representatives except Queen Victoria, associated with the city.Belfast City Council voted in favour of the installations in 2021 and decided for the design proposal through a two-stage public art competition in 2023 following the National Guidelines for Public Art Scheme including Public Art Advisory Groups. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news/artist-sought-to-design-statues-of-mary-ann-mccrac and https://visualartists.ie/public-art-practice-for-artists-and-commissioners/ Sander designed two sculptures that will offer an opportunity to honour Women that impacted the history of Belfast. It will lead to more diversity and a chance for more identification and acceptance. Having a physical representation of two remarkable woman in such a prominent place in Belfast can only help to generate more awareness and to make the city hall grounds more reflective of our contemporary society. This project is an opportunity to make an artistic statement and fill a vacancy of public celebration of historical female achievements in front Belfast City Hall, that will lead to more diversity, equal access to education and a more inclusive depiction of the city`s history. Both women fought against injustice, both women fought against inequality, they fought for rights we take for granted today. The statues of two historic women activists have been unveiled at Belfast City Hall to mark International Women's Day and the event was described as historical for Belfast from different sources.

KW - Public art

KW - Figurative Public Art

KW - Sculpture

KW - feminist activism

KW - Abolition

KW - slavery

KW - human rights

KW - history and culture

UR - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9rvqp40qvlo.amp

UR - https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/News/Mary-Ann-McCracken-and-Winfred-Carney-statues-unve

UR - https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/two-prestigious-belfast-women-to-be-memorialised-next-week-on-international-womens-day/a1928040034.html

M3 - Installation

CY - Belfast City Hall

ER -

Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney memorial: Modes of contemporary public memorising and the role of human image

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Shadows of the past

Menschenbilder, Human Image

Goetz

Cite this