A new art installation to support Ukraine has officially launched in Oxford.
The installation, created by Standing with Giants, was unveiled on Broad Street at 12pm today.
Standing 12 foot in height, the installation depicts a solider leading refugees to safety. The solider can be seen helping a mother and her two children, who are carrying bags of their possessions along with them. One child is held in the soldier’s arms while the other walks alongside his mother, holding a toy rabbit.
READ MORE: Standing with Giants sets up new installation in Oxford
The opening ceremony saw around 20 people holding Ukrainian flags in front the installation, before simultaneously lifting them up to reveal the artwork.
A banner, which reads ‘Oxford stands with Ukraine’, was also held in front of the installation by Standing with Giants founder Dan Barton and Lib Dem councillor John Howson.
Witney-based artist Mr Barton completed the installation in just 12 days.
He said: “People can send money, as we have, and aid. It will take a while to filter through to Ukraine but in the meantime there is other things we can do and this is what we have done.
“We are getting messages from Ukraine to say ‘thank you for not forgetting’, which is really quite meaningful.”
Mr Barton feels that in dark times art plays an important role, he explained: “When you think of all these events that happen in history, ultimately it is an image that says everything.”
The installation is part of a new initiative by the Standing with Giants called The Monumental Solidarity Project.
The project will see the blueprints for the installation made available to others for free, encouraging cities all over the world to create their own installation to support Ukraine.
Councillor Damian Haywood, who also attended the opening ceremony, said: “It is wonderful what the guys have done here, I think it is amazing. It makes a presence and its wonderful to see the solidarity they are showing as they have done in the past with NHS workers and Remembrance Sunday.
“It is fantastic they are now doing this for refugees from Ukraine and it really shows what we can do as a community here in Oxford to support these people.
“This really adds to this by having it in such a prominent place where everyone walking past stops, looks at it, asks questions and thinks to themselves what we can do, as an individual in our society thousands of miles away from the problems.
“We can make a difference by donating to causes like this to ensure refugees are cared for and made safe.”
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