Baltic Creative is thrilled to welcome back Bob Marley to the McKeown Rice Plinth in the Baltic Triangle. The statue of Bob was first introduced to the Plinth in 2021 following a tough period for the arts and live events industry.
After seeing the impact that Andy Edwards’ Beatles and Mohammed Ali statues had made to the city, Rory Taylor of Positive Vibration Festival approached Andy through Castle Fine Arts Foundry, with the support of Baltic Creative CIC. They worked collaboratively to create the eye-catching sculpture that would continue to reach the community with their positivity while their festival was in hiatus. The Bob Marley statue then remained in place until early 2023.
While many impressive art works have graced the plinth since its inception in 2014, perhaps due the Jamaica Street connection and cultural relevance to the area, along with Bob Marley’s legacy of peace, love and unity, the Bob Marley statue became one of the most talked about public artworks in the Baltic triangle and so returns this year by popular demand.
“Peace” is not having a lie down, it’s a fight. It’s not something static like a word on a T-Shirt, it’s an action, an ongoing struggle. Every kind of peace throughout the world is under threat right now and we need our champions. We need Bob Marley and the power he summons at the centre of the ring again.”
“This work has come about simply by a few friends getting together, because like so many all over the world, Bob was our hero and what he did and strove for still means so much. We hope this statue will be a reminder of the inspiration we can all be to each other.”
Andrew Edwards, artist.
The artwork is now placed on Baltic Creative’s McKeown Rice Exhibition Space opposite the Jurgen Klopp mural, and across the road from the Levi Tafari tribute mural. We are thrilled to be able to share this fantastic artwork at the centre of the Baltic Creative Campus, and we are sure it will help to attract even more visitors to the area.
About the McKeown Rice Exhibition Space
The McKeown Rice Exhibition Space was launched on 27th November 2014 in memory of Claire McKeown and Paul Rice, two of the founding members of Baltic Creative CIC. Claire and Paul were both instrumental in developing the vision for Baltic Creative CIC, which continues to shape the transformation of the Baltic Triangle.
