In a historic milestone, a unique sculpture honoring women who wear hijabs has been unveiled. Titled “Strength of the Hijab,” the artwork, conceived by Luke Perry, will find its home in the Smethwick region of the West Midlands this October. It stands as the world’s inaugural sculpture depicting a woman adorned with the traditional Muslim head covering. This monumental creation reaches a height of five meters (16 feet) and weighs approximately one tonne.
Commissioned by Legacy West Midlands, a registered charity celebrating the heritage of post-war migrant communities in Birmingham, the piece carries significant cultural importance.
Luke Perry, the artist, emphasized the necessity of providing visibility to this often underrepresented segment of society. He stated, “The Strength of the Hijab is a piece which represents women who wear hijabs of the Islamic faith, and it’s really there because it’s such an underrepresented part of our community, but such an important one.” Perry, previously known for his collaboration on the “Black British History is British History” sculpture, acknowledged the potential for controversy surrounding the new artwork. However, he firmly asserted the importance of representing the entirety of the UK’s diverse population. He emphasized, “The future of our country is about what unites us, not what pulls us apart, which is why it’s important to have representation across the whole of the UK, of everybody that lives here. The reaction has been really, really positive.”
