‘We Rise’ Sculpture Celebrates Learning Disability Arts at Pivot Fest

Our wonderful ‘We Rise’ sculpture made a return to Portsmouth in celebration of our Pivot Fest, the city’s first learning disability led arts festival.

The ‘We Rise’ sculpture rose again, and was on display at Gunwharf Quays shopping centre, in celebration of our fabulous arts festival which also featured artists and performers from around the UK with a learning disability.

Our vibrant, inflatable sculpture created by This New Ground artists in collaboration with acclaimed digital artist Jason Wilsher-Mills, was on display at Gunwharf throughout Pivot Fest which ran from 8 to 10 May.

‘We Rise’ is a unique work of art, created in 2022, celebrating artists with a learning disability from across Portsmouth, which was also the purpose of our Pivot Fest and why we wanted to reshare it. It’s an expression of vibrancy, pride and the desire for visibility shared by people in Portsmouth with a learning disability.

‘We Rise’ draws inspiration from Portsmouth’s historic coat of arms and features drawings, self-portraits and words by project participants.

Nathalie Russell-Clarke, co-director of This New Ground, said:

“It was wonderful being able to redisplay this amazing sculpture for Pivot Fest. It raised lots of smiles from visitors to Gunwharf and helped to showcase once again the amazing talents of artists with a learning disability.”