|
Artist chosen for Eleanor
Rathbone commemoration
ELEANOR Rathbone, 1 of Liverpool's
greatest political figures, is to be celebrated in an artwork which marks 3
of her greatest campaigns.
Artist Lulu Quinn has been selected to produce the artwork which will be located
in the walled garden of Greenbank Park, formerly the estate of the Rathbone
family. Lulu Quinn's work will focus on the written word, cut out of corten steel sheets, and
will feature three quotations taken from Eleanor's writings about women's
suffrage, the family allowance bill and her campaigns for the rights of
refugees. Lulu Quinn was chosen after there had been a great deal of
interest in the commission. Her artwork will make a significant contribution to
the national "Remembering
Eleanor Rathbone" campaign marking the 70th Anniversary of Eleanor Rathbone's death.
Lulu Quinn has extensive experience of working on innovative public artworks
throughout the country. She said:- "I wanted to use Eleanor Rathbone's
words to animate the garden. In the current political climate her words are the
voice of reason and rationality. They will not date and are part of an on going
dialogue for generations."
Greenbank Councillor Laura Robertson Collins, said:- "We were delighted to
be able to appoint an artist with a national reputation such as Lulu Quinn for
this artwork. Eleanor Rathbone was an inspirational figure and now her words are
going to be a permanent feature in Greenbank Park. It is only fitting that in
this anniversary year some of her greatest campaigns should be recognized in
this way."
Eleanor Rathbone (1872 to 1846) grew up in Greenbank House, now part of the Liverpool
University estate, into a family with a tradition of political and social
campaigning in the city. Her father and grandfather were Liberal MP's in the
city.
Eleanor attended Oxford University, but, as a woman, was not allowed to graduate.
She was the first woman to be elected to the City council and represented Granby
from 1909 to 1934. In 1929 she was elected as an independent MP for the Combined
Universities seat, a position she held until her death.
She was associated with many campaigns for women's rights and education, and for
social justice. She campaigned against child marriage and FGM in the colonies,
and later worked tirelessly to save Jewish and other refugees in Europe.
Most notably, despite the opposition of many male MPs, she was responsible for
the introduction of family allowances (now child benefit) to be paid directly to
mothers.
The artwork, which will cost £10,000, will be funded through a number of
sources including public subscription.
|
