Brave Bernard and Body Paint have this week been unveiled as the trail gets underway.
Brave Bernard, designed by Geo Law who worked as an associate lecturer at the University for eight years, is adorned by smiles and grins. He is a ‘reminder to us all to be proud and to stay proud of who you are’ and is at the top of Howard Street.
Inspired by the Arctic Monkeys, lioness Body Paint was designed by Alex Szabo Haslam who graduated from Sheffield Hallam with a degree in graphic design. The sculpture, on display in Hallam Square, is inspired by the band’s 2022 single of the same name, using the song’s physical soundwaves as the inspiration for the design.
The Pride of Yorkshire features 150 life-sized lion and lioness sculptures that are currently on display in the streets, parks and public spaces across the region until September.
Designed by artists from the region and beyond, the trail will spread Yorkshire pride, creativity and community across South Yorkshire.
Professor Liz Mossop, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted to support Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity’s Pride of Yorkshire campaign and to welcome these fantastic sculptures to our campus. It is especially meaningful that both lions have been designed by talented members of the Sheffield Hallam community, showcasing the creativity and talent that thrives across our region. We hope they inspire pride, spark conversations and encourage people to explore this wonderful celebration of Yorkshire’s communities."
Joining them will be the Little Pride, 150 cub sculptures which are fundraised for, painted by and adopted by schools and community groups across the region.
Staff from the University’s outreach team, alongside illustration academics in the Sheffield Creative Industries Institute, worked with students at Thrybergh Academy in Rotherham to design a lion cub.
Around 30 students were involved in the process and were set a brief to think outside the box, helping to encourage imagination and introduce them to the creative industries sector.
The winning cub, Professor Paws, is also on display in the University’s new Langsett Building on Howard Street. During the campaign, pupils will visit the cub and the school will get to keep it as a memento once the trail has finished.
