Kenneth Armitage CBE - Leeds, UK - Blue Plaques on Waymarking.com

The blue plaque and the sculpture stand in the Nelson Mandela Gardens which were originally opened on 10th December 1983 in honour of Nelson Mandela, symbol of resistance to Apartheid in South Africa.

As part of the Millennium celebrations there was a multi million pound project to renovate the whole of the area in front of the civic square including these gardens.

Then in 2001 Nelson Mandela was made a Freeman of the city when he visited Leeds and these gardens, which were rededicated to him.

This statue was unveiled as part of the rededication of the Gardens. It shows a pair of outstretched arms expressing a feeling of welcome. link

Much of Kenneth Armitage's public sculpture included the human form, often in a fairly abstracted way. He also sculpted a series of sculptures with an arm or arms as the main subject and this one was the last in the series.

CIVIC TRUST
LEEDS

KENNETH ARMITAGE CBE
Sculptor
Born in Roundhay, he attended Leeds College of Art
and the Slade School of Fine Art, London.
International Recognition followed his selection
for the 1952 Venice Biennale.
'Both Arms', 2000, Bronze, was inaugurated
by Nelson Mandela in 2001

1916 - 2002

Blue Plaque managing agency: Leeds Civic Trust Individual Recognized: Kenneth Armitage CBE Physical Address: Mandela Garderns Millennium Square Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom Web Address: [Web Link]

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