Strong Women of Knowsley is unveiled!

On Saturday we welcomed generations of women and their families to celebrate a new public artwork in Kirkby Town Centre

The co-created mosaic artwork, made up of hundreds of ceramic hearts, images and stories, was created by internationally known artist and mosaicist Carrie Reichardt working with communities from across Knowsley and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.

A smaller artwork for St Marie’s Catholic Primary School, dedicated to the school community’s strong women was unveiled earlier in the week.

Angharad Williams, Head of Creative People and Places Programme at Heart of Glass said:

“Through this project we set out to address the lack of women, and particularly working class women, captured in public art. On Saturday we got to see people's emotional reactions as the artwork they’d helped to create was unveiled, featuring hundreds of tributes to aunties, mums, sisters, grandmas and local women. We’re so grateful to the community for welcoming us and so thankful to artist Carrie Reichardt and all the team and funders for making this joyful project happen.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“This is another wonderful milestone for the Strong Women project and a permanent marker of the fantastic community engagement programme that has captured the untold stories of women across St Helens and Knowsley. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are very proud to support Heart of Glass with this work to celebrate women’s heritage and the social history of the boroughs.”

Jen Cleary, Director North West, Arts Council England said:

“We know that taking part in creative activities increases confidence and wellbeing. This project, rooted in the community, tells the stories that aren’t often heard and celebrates the women of Knowsley who are at the heart of this work. I was delighted to be there for the launch and to see this inspiring work as it was unveiled. We’re proud to support Heart of Glass and its work in a place that we want to increase our investment and creative opportunities.”

Artist Carrie Reichardt said:

'This commission has been a joyous experience. Learning about all the courageous and feisty women, bringing that to life through creativity and working with so many inspiring local people to explore this 'herstory'’.

Debi O'Shea, Chair of Northwood Together said:

"I was drawn to it because I think it's a beautiful way of recognising all the strong women we have around us. I've loved the experience of making the hearts - it felt really special, and meeting new women and hearing new stories has been great. I can’t wait to see the artwork."

Residents were also invited to take part in oral history training with community historian Greig Campbell and Samantha Best, a Knowsley-based historian with a particular interest in women’s history.

The Knowsley artworks follow on from Strong Women of St Helens, a ‘sister’ artwork that was unveiled in Parr, St Helens in summer 2023..

The Strong Women programme is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund with thanks to National Lottery players. It forms part of Heart of Glass’ Arts Council England supported Creative People and Places programme. Special thanks to Knowsley Council and Knowsley Archives.