The World Reimagined is here! Discover the sculpture trail around Swansea

This summer, residents and visitors are invited to take a journey of discovery across Swansea as part of a ground-breaking, mass-participation educational art project, supported by University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and Swansea Council. The World Reimagined sculpture trail explores many layers of shared history since the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and how racial justice can become a reality for all. 

From 13^th August until 31^st October, the installation will transform Swansea’s streets with a free art trail of 10 Globe sculptures, each designed by an individual artist responding to themes ranging from Mother Africa to Still We Rise and Expanding Soul. 

The trail takes place at the same time as trails in six other cities, as The World Reimagined invites people across the UK to acknowledge history and support the work of brilliant community activists and organisations.

UWTSD is delighted to support the project to help bring people, families and communities together to talk about how history is understood, how our past shapes our future, and how people can act for social change.

Professor Ian Walsh, Provost of UWTSD’s Swansea and Cardiff Campuses said, “Supporting this superb initiative is a statement of the University’s commitment to remembering both the injustice and pain of our shared history, and a celebration of diversity in contemporary British society. We encourage as many people as possible to follow the trail around the city and get involved in the conversation.”

The Globes have been created by local and international artists to bring the host cities to life with diverse experiences and creative styles. UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art is also marking The World Reimagined through a new 8m high canvas on the front of its Dynevor Building. The artwork was produced by Sophie Hancock, currently studying for her MA in Graphic Design.

Sophie says: “Being asked to create the banner displayed on UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art has been an honour and a pleasure, and is the biggest and most important piece of work in my creative career. The support and kind words from everyone who has seen it so far has been incredible, and I’m very proud to have been included in this project.”

Swansea Council cabinet member Elliott King says: “Swansea is a diverse city, where more than 100 languages are spoken. We’re proud to be an open and welcoming community with City of Sanctuary status. We believe The World Reimagined will strengthen our communities’ connections with each other, encouraging people to think in fresh and positive ways about our past, present and future.

“We were determined to play a full part in this powerful project – it vibrantly reflects the council’s own approach to equality and the Arts. Creativity across Culture is a force for unity and, like others across Swansea and the World, we strengthened our commitment to racial equality in response to Black Lives Matter.”

The trails are part of a broader programme encouraging and supporting conversations around racial justice that have been developing over the last year. Last month, The World Reimagined awarded more than £75,000 in grant funding to 75+ community organisations across its host cities.

Made possible by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the INSPIRE grants support people and organisations to host their own events and activities. The grants celebrate and honour the work that has been done over decades for racial justice and hope to allow organisations to grow their network and support base for the future.

The World Reimagined – with its trail, events and activities across the country – offers an opportunity to understand each other’s stories in a much deeper and richer way, so that together we can create a future in which all can say: I am seen.

Find information on The World Reimagined or follow their social accounts:

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook  #TheWorldReimagined

Further Information

Ella Staden

Swyddog y Wasg a'r Cyfryngau

Press and Media Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

E-bost | Email : ella.staden@uwtsd.ac.uk

Ffôn | Phone : 07384467078