Renowned international artist Alex Echo created a unique masterpiece last week, when he brought together 40 people from the community of Leicester in an explosion of creativity!
Sponsored by Next and hosted at the Highcross, guests poured 40 cupfuls of paint over a mammoth Elephant sculpture in celebration of LOROS Hospice’s 40th anniversary next year. The sculpture is the latest addition to the Stomp Round Leicester art trail, coming to the city next summer.
It was messy, imaginative, free form and huge fun, as guests, including Leicester Tigers rugby stars Handre Pollard and Julian Montoya, and BBC East Midlands Today's Anne Davies, celebrated the infectious, transformative power of art.
Organising 40 people pouring paint is not an easy task but artist Alex Echo was delighted with how guests had embraced his concept.
Alex said: “I’m really pleased with how it went. We had men in suits walking in and totally absorbed in pouring paint. Art is a way to express yourself and it inspires the imagination.”
Alex wanted to involve the people of Leicester in decorating the Sculpture to reflect the role LOROS Hospice plays in the community. By inviting 40 people to pour paint the sculpture becomes a piece of community art, involving everyone and owned by everyone.
“The power of art is immense,” added Alex. “It brings the community together, just like this trail will too. Art is inspiring and to be a part of it is inspiring too.”
Genna Douglas, Together with NEXT Manager, said: “NEXT are hugely grateful to the wonderful Alex Echo for his passion, time and dedication given to help us support LOROS. We are extremely proud to be able to be part of this exciting art exhibition and to be able to show our support to such a well-deserved charity. We look forward to seeing the art trail come alive in the summer."
The call for artists to submit designs for the remaining 38 elephants on next year’s Stomp Round Leicester trail is open until 20th November. Find out more at stomproundleicester.co.uk/artists/
