Artist Clare Elisabeth has created a giant Union flag from discarded lamppost banners to celebrate the West Midlands’ heritage as a “magical melting pot”. The textile sculptor, based in Birmingham, says the Re-Union Jack, which incorporates dozens of worn-out flags, is a response to a flag-raising movement that “has caused division in communities across the country”.
Community signatures added to artwork
The names of hundreds of notable figures from across Birmingham and the West Midlands have been researched and added to the creation, with some visiting the project specifically to endorse it by adding their signature. Signatories include a descendant of Industrial Revolution pioneer James Watt, as well as members of Birmingham reggae bands Steel Pulse and UB40.
Led by Goldship, an artistic collaboration between Ms Elisabeth and event producer Sam Shipman, the work has been produced using worn or ripped polyester flags previously hung from lampposts. The four metre by seven metre artwork was sewn and glued by a small team led by the artist, who usually works with vintage fabrics.
Project responds to flag division
The ongoing project’s first public viewing is taking place at Birmingham’s Council House as part of International Day of Birmingham celebrations on Thursday and Friday, after its creation over a three-month period at Digbeth’s cultural and community venue, The Drop Inn.
Speaking about the work, Ms Elisabeth said: “Someone put up a (social media) post a while back to ask if anyone could do anything with the flags that had been taken off the lampposts.” She added: “And I thought rather than throw them away, there’s got to be a way that I can repurpose them into something more positive – because they have been causing a lot of division.”
Ms Elisabeth said the flag-raising movement had caused division in communities across the country and so, rather than throw flags away, the project had “reimagined them” as a symbol of unity.
Unified community effort
Mr Shipman, director of the Drop Inn, said: “It’s a shared value of the whole team here to provide as accessible a platform as possible for people to express themselves creatively without prejudice in a safe and inclusive space.” He added: “We strongly believe success comes from a unified community approach. Re-Union Jack embodies this belief; a collective effort that is owned and shaped by all.”
