Location: Guildhall North Entrance, 2023. The Amazing Adventures of Morph
From 19 June to 20 August 2023, an immersive experience celebrating London, art and diversity is coming to London. For 8 weeks, sculptures of much-loved character, Morph will form a fun, family-friendly art trail for residents and visitors to follow.
This unique step-free trail will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about how together, we can remove barriers and create a more inclusive society. Following the public trail, the Morph’s will be auctioned off to raise vital funds and awareness for Whizz Kidz to help transform the lives of young wheelchair users across the UK.
The sculpture
#DiverseCity is a playful sculpture that embodies the beauty of communities and the richness of diversity.
The metallic gold finish of the sculpture exudes strength, while the intricate hand-drawn floral patterns in royal blue symbolises the creativity and curiosity of the human spirit.
The sculpture’s bold and striking design stands tall, encouraging us to celebrate and embrace the diversity in our city, while serving as a reminder, that despite our differences, we can come together as one.
"An epic step-free Arts Trail with diversity and inclusion at its heart."
- Whizz Kidz
The public's reaction
The reaction from the public has been amazing so far. I've received many positive messages on social media and photos with the sculpture. Here are some of my favourites so far. Please tag @mrasingh when sharing your photo of Diverse-City.
Partnering with Culture Mile BID
The Morph sculpture is sponsored by Culture Mile BID who are a newly established Business Improvement District proudly working with leading cultural organisations and innovative businesses in the North West of the City of London.
In March this year Culture Mile BID was delighted to be asked to sponsor a Morph as part of the UK’s first step-free art trail of it’s kind with Whizz Kidz and Wild In Art. The project is very special because of the way Whizz Kidz have approached the project - being guided by a board of young wheelchair users who have been empowered to have their say. The Project aims to raise awareness of mobility issues and access around places with Morph representing their frustrations at being limited but somehow breaking free.
"Inclusivity is very important to us and when faced with the choice of Morphs – we thought Diverse-City with the beautiful gold and blue ink drawings was the perfect choice. Somehow it also sums up the Culture aspect of our BID looking expressive and artistic and we felt it was the perfect fit. As was working with MrASingh who has a great positive can-do attitude combined with a love of helping and informing others. It has been a real pleasure to work with him over the last few months and we hope to work with him again in the future.
We are very proud of sponsoring Diverse-City Morph and what he represents – we think he is a beautiful addition to the streets in the City of London and our own Culture Mile."
- Sarah Baker, Culture Mile BID.
Meet and Greet, and Art workshops
I partnered with Culture Mile BID to organise and deliver an exciting and fun-packed, creative afternoon for all the family celebrating Morph’s Epic Art Adventure in London. It was amazing to meet trail goers in person and take photos with them. I designed a custom Morph worksheet where families got to create pattern art and colour in their own Morph. It was fantastic see young and the big kids engage with designing their own Morph's, working with colour and patterns.
We were joined by families, the Culture Mile BID team and the Whizz Kidz team who help with the Morph team.
The outcome of this partnership was highly positive. The families and children were constantly engaged with the talks and workshops which even surprised many of the parents. Many of the attendees shared photographs from the day on social media too.
We asked for feedback towards the end of the day and the phrases written down were brilliant, exactly what I want people who attend my art workshops to feel.
Some of the words: Happy, Excited, Joyful, Sleepy, Relaxed, Calm, Cosy, Inspired, Peaceful, Educated, Encouraged, Creative, Exhilarated, Engaged, Arty, Focused
The Auction
Once the trail has ended, Diverse-City Morph will be auctioned off to raise funds for Whizz-Kids, which works to ensure every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included. Around 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile and the charity helps to provide wheelchairs and mobility equipment to people across the country.
Where: The Museum of London, London Wall
When: Live on 12th September 2023 and online now!
Time: From 6pm
Online bidding: click here
Information
Name: Diverse-City
Location: Guildhall North Wing Entrance, London EC2V 5DZ
Client: Culture Mile BID
Materials - Fiberglass sculpture. Acrylic metallic gold paint, POSCA blue pens, glitter and resin varnish
Related hashtags: #MorphsAdventureLondon #AmazingMorph
The UK’s first step-free art trail of its kind, is a Wild in Art event hosted by Whizz-Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users. Morph, Aardman's classic clay character!