Latest news with #SamShendi
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MP praises 'colourful and magnificent' sculpture at Bradford community centre
A NEW piece of art created for a long-standing community centre has been described as 'colourful' and 'magnificent' by a local MP. Award-winning local sculptor Sam Shendi has designed and created Balancing Acts – a bright, interactive sculpture at MAPA youth and community centre. The sculpture honours the centre's role as a community hub, and reflects balance, identity, and shared belonging and is part of Bradford's City of Culture celebrations. Children playing with the sculpture at MAPA (Image: Andrew Benge) Acknowledging the centre's past as a playground, the sculpture has moveable blocks – meaning it doubles up as a piece of play equipment. The sculpture was officially unveiled on Tuesday at an event attended by Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and Mr Shendi. The centre, off Manchester Road, was formerly known as Margaret McMillan Adventure Playground, and has helped shape generations of children in the city. Children playing with the sculpture at MAPA (Image: Andrew Benge) At the unveiling, plenty of children gathered around the sculpture, spinning its multicoloured segments. Its unveiling is a key moment in Bradford 2025's PLAY programme, which aims to boost the district's existing play provision. At the event, Mr Hussain said: 'One of the greatest things about Bradford is that all communities are welcome and we are all united. The sculpture at MAPA (Image: T&A) 'This is a colourful, magnificent structure created by a local artist. It symbolises play, and is something young people can play with.' Referring to Bradford's year as City of Culture, Mr Hussain said: 'It is a really magnificent year – people are saying it's our time. We are setting our own narrative – we are a proud home to communities from around the world. "It is a magnificent place to call home.' Sam Shendi with his sculpture (Image: T&A) Rhiannon Hannon, director of creative engagement at Bradford 2025, said: "Shendi's sculpture is playful, welcoming, and deeply rooted in the community spirit that MAPA was built on. "It tells a story of generations growing up in this space, learning balance in life, through joy and coming together. The sculpture at MAPA (Image: T&A) 'We wanted it to reflect that this site started as a playground.' She said there were several events being held throughout the year to celebrate play and the district's young population. The sculpture at MAPA (Image: T&A) Referring to the bright colours on the sculpture, Egyptian-born Shendi, who lives in Cowling, said the colours reflected life, adding: 'We often use colours to describe emotions. 'I'm so happy to have been chosen by Bradford 2025 to create this sculpture. Balancing Acts is a totem for the future generations to understand the value of their community.' He described it as a 'small gift' for MAPA.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford 2025 sculptor 'happy' for street artists to add to his work
A sculptor and graffiti fan showcasing his latest work in Bradford has said he would be "happy" for street artists to make their mark on it - as long as it "adds to the artwork".Sam Shendi, an Egyptian-born sculptor now living in North Yorkshire, has unveiled Balancing Acts, a 13ft (4m) sculpture in the grounds of the MAPA community centre just off Manchester from stainless steel, which Shendi has then painted, it was commissioned for the City of Culture 50-year-old said: "I respect the younger generation with the graffiti in particular; I'm a fan of the graffiti artwork." Shendi said he had no problem with people adding to his creation as long as it was done in a positive way and was not said: "The paint that I use is the same type that you'd use to spray cars, so it will last for a long period of time."At the end of the day if any other creative person is happy to come and paint on the top of it, or draw in a good way, I'm happy with this as well." The work was inspired by children's building blocks and took Shendi, who lives in the village of Cowling, five months to collaborated with local firm Bradford Laser Cutting, which specialises in cutting stainless steel and spray-painted each block using colours from different countries' flags to represent the communities who live in the area. Shendi, who became a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors in 2014, also made each block capable of being said: "I love my work to be touched by children."It's colourful so it appeals to all kind of ages from any background, any class. "The sculpture was inspired by children's building blocks. You're trying to teach kids about the balance and the harmony between surfaces."This is what community is really."How different backgrounds, different faiths, different beliefs and different political views are all combined together." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
