Hibiscus Rising: A Free Activity Day
About the event
Join us for a day of free activities for the launch of Hibiscus Rising, a major permanent public artwork by world-renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA.
We invite you to reflect, to practise joy and to unlock your own creativity.
Artist talks and walking tours, live music, poetry workshops and an open mic, as well as family-friendly craft workshops - there’s something for all ages and interests. Featuring Yinka Shonibare, Joe Williams, Yoruba Heritage Group Yorkshire, Khadijah Ibrahiim and more. See below for details.
This new sculpture honours David Oluwale, the British Nigerian and Leeds resident whose personal story inspired local people to create a lasting legacy to mark his life. Oluwale drowned in the River Aire in April 1969 after being systematically harassed by members of the Leeds City police force.
Designed as a place where people can come together in a spirit of hope, the 10-metre high sculpture is inspired by the hibiscus flower, a plant ubiquitous in Nigeria. It is adorned with Shonibare’s renowned African inspired batik patterns.
11:00am - 4:00pm
Food vendors will be present at this event for you to purchase from on the day.
Free. Some events are drop-in, and others ticketed. Please see schedule for full details.
Schedule
Activities will take place at the site of the sculpture and at The Tetley, nearby.
At The Tetley.
Step into a creative haven and contribute to the vibrant Hibiscus Haven, an interactive collage garden. Use pieces of Yinka Shonibare’s African-inspired batik fabrics and other materials to make your own textile design inspired by Hibiscus Rising. All the contributions will be joined together into one collective tapestry.
This is a drop-in workshop, which you can join at any time. Suitable for everyone aged 5+. Workshop leader: Nana-Essi Casely-Hayford.
At the Hibiscus Rising sculpture.
Yoruba Heritage Group Yorkshire - who combine traditional singing, drumming and dance - share their music in the surroundings of Hibiscus Rising. Booking not required, join us next to the sculpture on the day.
At The Tetley.
Yinka Shonibare and Beth Hughes discuss his work and the inspiration for Hibiscus Rising.
At The Tetley.
Zines are small, often homemade publications that have in the past been made quickly and unofficially meaning they can be more free and less conventional in their design and content. Come and learn about zines and make your own about what Hibiscus Rising means to you. No previous experience required and you don’t even need to be arty. Suitable for all.
Meet inside The Tetley.
Award-winning tour guide Joe Williams (Heritage Corner) will lead us on a walk on the fringe of Leeds city centre, highlighting the key places where David Oluwale made his life.
At The Tetley.
Leeds-born published poet Khadijah, who performs around the world, will lead you through writing your own poems in response to Hibiscus Rising and the story of David Oluwale.
Suitable for ages 18+
At The Tetley.
Every Nigerian has at least one wrapper, symbolising roots, attachments and a sense of home. Learn the story of the wrapper, the ways in which it can be tied and create your own creative response to it through painting, drawing or writing.
This is a drop-in workshop, which you can join at any time. Suitable for everyone aged 5+.
Workshop leader: Ndidi Nkwopara.
At The Tetley.
Share your own poetry or works in progress with a supportive crowd. If you’re not a performer, come and hear the poets of Leeds! Booking not required, sign up on the day.
Spend time at the Hibiscus Rising sculpture.
Take tea with us, and reflect. Booking not required, join us next to the sculpture on the day.
Location
Plan your visit
Aire Park and The Tetley is a 0.8 km walk from Leeds Bus Station and nearby to other bus routes in Leeds.
Check the First Bus Leeds journey planner to find your best bus route.
There are no onsite parking facilities at The Tetley.
We encourage visitors to reach us by public transport if you can.
Our nearest car parks are:
RCP Car Park (Approximately 0.3 km away)
Q Park Sovereign Square (Approximately 0.5 km away)
CitiPark Leeds Dock (Approximately 0.5 km away)
Leeds train station is 0.8 km from Aire Park and The Tetley.
For more information check National Rail Enquiries.
Accessibility & Advisories
We look forward to welcoming you to Aire Park and The Tetley for the launch of Hibiscus Rising. We hope the information we’ve listed here is enough to enable you to plan your visit with confidence, but we also understand that you may have questions that are unique to you and your circumstance. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if we can be of any further support. Contact our Box Office team at boxoffice@leeds2023.co.uk or call 07568 115900.
An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor of The Tetley. The nearest publicly accessible changing places offer is located at Leeds Train Station, approximately 0.6 miles away from the venue.
The Tetley looks forward to welcoming you and your registered service dog. Handlers are kindly asked to ensure dogs remain on lead at all times. The nearest relief area is located in Aire Park on Meadow Lane, approximately 350m away from The Tetley. LEEDS 2023 volunteers will be on hand to support navigation to this site as required.
Audio description services will not be available at this event.
BSL interpreters will not be available at this event.
This event will not be live-captioned.
A chill out room will be available on the first floor of The Tetley, immediately opposite the central staircase. This will include soft furnishings, fidget toys, low level lighting, colouring supplies and a black out tent, and will be open throughout the day.
Food vendors will be present at this event for you to purchase from on the day. Further details regarding payment types and allergen information will be made available on this webpage in the coming days.
No on-site parking is available at The Tetley. Blue badge parking bays are available on Waterloo Street, approximately 150m away from the venue. The nearest standard parking provision is Q Park Sovereign Square on Swinegate. If you book parking here ahead of time and use the code TETLEY20 you will receive a 20% discount.
The Tetley is a wheelchair accessible venue. Entrance to the building is easiest through the café entrance. A lift, located at the back of the building, provides step-free access across all floors and an accessible toilet is available on the ground floor.
Credits
This project is a collaboration between The David Oluwale Memorial Association, LEEDS 2023 and Leeds City Council. With support from Art Fund, Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Henry Moore Foundation.
