Respect.
Respect - I know what it means to me.
Respect. The first artwork from the Law on the Wall series by Lawyers Arts Club.
Respect. artwork installation on Queen Victoria in Victoria Square, Birmingham, United Kingdom for the launch of Law On The Wall on 26/03/21.
The title Respect is taken from the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 section 7.
WHY RESPECT
Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they're different from you or you don't agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing. Respect doesn't have to come naturally – it is something you learn.
WHAT LAW IS ON THE WALL?
This act defined, supported and instructed planning on listed buildings and the preservation and maintenance of conservation areas in the United Kingdom.
Control of works in respect of listed buildings
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 section 7. Subject to the following provisions of this Act, no person shall execute or cause to be executed any works for the demolition of a listed building or for its alteration or extension in any manner which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest, unless the works are authorised.
Churchill crossed out and “was a racist” graffitied during Black Lives Matter protest.
THE ACT PROTECTS THE HISTORY OF THE UK
This law was passed to make sure that there was adequate protection for the heritage of the United Kingdom.
“We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.”
— Aretha Franklin
REVOLUTION
The toppling of statues make the most memorable moments in history from the fall of Saddam to Stalin. Revolutions to free oppressed people from dictators and monarchs.
Edward Colston statue in water on 7/06/20 in Bristol, United Kingdom.
WHY IS SAVE OUR STATUES ONE OF THE FEW VOICES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF STATUES
At the launch of the Law on the Wall in Victoria Square, Birmingham the LAC interviewed a diverse mix of locals, tourists and essential workers, nine out of ten agreed that statues should remain and be respected.
Respect. artwork installation on Duke of Wellington statue in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, United Kingdom on St George’s Day 2021.
RESPECT THE DUKE
The Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) is best known for his victory over Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Prior to that in 1808 he commanded British, Portuguese and Spanish forces in the Peninsular War, forcing the occupying French to withdraw from Spain and Portugal. Following his military career he turned to politics and became Prime Minister in 1827. The people of Manchester raised a statue to the Duke of Wellington soon after his death in 1852. The bronze statue, created by Matthew Noble on a granite pedestal, was unveiled on 30 August 1856.
WHY IS RESPECT IMPORTANT IN 2021 AND BEYOND?
In divisive times where we are seeing more and more requests to remove statues across the country. This artwork is in response to the threat of destruction and removal of statues in the United Kingdom.
MOVING FROM STATUES TO HOMES
Sadiq Khan’s Housing Design Advocate complained that Georgian style architecture is starting to look “offensive”because it “harks back to oppression” and “colonialism”. If we set a precedent of removing monuments of history, we allow the conversation for the removal of period properties.
DISRESPECT ON PLACES OF WORSHIP
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said;
“Vandalism and attacks on British synagogues over the past several years underscore the urgency of increasing sentences for these hate crimes. The rise in hate crime cannot be deterred without harsh penalties for offenders.”
Respect. artwork installation on Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham on the first day of Passover 2021.
PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE ARTS
Lawyers Arts Club want to protect and preserve the Arts in all it’s forms. Art is the footprint of man, it defines civilisations and is our reminder of who we are and where we came from. The past cannot be changed, removed or deleted.
Wellington, Victoria and Peel Under Threat
Respect. artwork installation on Queen Victoria and St George statue in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester on St George’s day 2021.
RESPECT OUR STATUES
No man or woman is beyond reproach, everyone has faults. No person who has had a statue erected for them that has never not made a mistake. We respect history whether we agree with it or not, just as we expect to give and receive respect with everyone in our own lives.
Princess Diana opening Victoria Square, May 1993.
“Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts.”
STATUES IN SOCIETY
Our heritage is our way of mediating a conversation between the past and the present and gives us dialogue to discuss these sometimes problematic legacies. Removing statues takes away not only beautifully hand crafted artworks but also our right to engage and converse with our own history.
“We want to preserve British history and art, not destroy it. We believe in respecting heritage and history. We are not offended by the reality of the past. We will do all we can to advocate for the protection of these monuments and sacred places.”
BE HEARD AND GET INVOLVED
Many people believe that heritage and history require preservation and conservation and it is the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 that makes this possible.
BACK TO LAW ON THE WALL
Lawyers Arts Club - is an organisation creating content by uniting the law and the arts for the purpose of sparking discussion.
Legal research and sponsorship provided by Theodorous Law Firm.
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