‘Ribbons’ sculpture celebrating inspirational Leeds women set to be installed near Leeds Playhouse

Ribbons, by artist Pippa Hale, will stand up to four metres tall at Quarry Hill, bearing 384 names chosen in a public ballot.

The project was developed by Rachel Reeves – Leeds West & Pudsey Parliamentary Candidate during her time as Leeds West MP – Leeds City Council, Leeds Arts University and Leeds City College. It was backed by Judith Blake, who was serving as Leeds City Council leader, and former YEP Editor Hannah Thaxter.

Formal planning permission for the scheme has been granted by the council.

A planning report said: “The ribbons emerge from the ground where they weave around before rising up into a central sculpture arranged around a circle.

“The tops of the ribbons become intertwined reaching up to a maximum of four metres high.

“The ribbons and the names are physically and metaphorically tied together over space and time in a celebration of womanhood that is embedded in the very fabric of the city.”

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Former Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and the social reformer Isabella Ford are among women featured in the project.

The report said the sculpture would be placed on a raised surface where visitors would be able to touch and sit on the ribbons.

The ribbons are made of corten steel, which would weather to a chestnut brown finish at the site, near Leeds Playhouse and BBC Yorkshire.

The report added: “This material is considered to be well suited to outdoor uses and will maintain an attractive appearance as it ages.”