A Real Birmingham Family, Bronze statue in Centenary Square, Birmingham, England
Description
A Real Birmingham Family is a life-size bronze sculpture showing two sisters with their four sons in relaxed poses. The work stands in Centenary Square next to the Library of Birmingham and occupies a prominent position in this public space.
History
Artist Gillian Wearing created this sculpture, unveiled on 30 October 2014 outside the Library of Birmingham. The project started in 2011 with an open nomination process to find a real family from the city willing to be immortalized in bronze.
Culture
The sculpture depicts two sisters raising children together, showing family structures that rarely appear in public art. It encourages visitors to think about how families take different forms in everyday life.
Practical
The sculpture is located in the heart of Birmingham on Centenary Square and is easy to reach on foot. A plaque set into the ground beside the figures provides information about the family and the artist's intentions.
Did you know?
The family depicted was selected through an open competition run by the Ikon Gallery, a Birmingham arts institution. Many families applied, but Roma and Emma Jones and their sons were chosen to represent the city forever in bronze.
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