New sculpture at Sale Waterside sheds a different light on mental health

A sculpture created out of a mental health and wellbeing project has been unveiled in Sale.

Ekun Richards’ A Different Light will be a permanent installation in the foyer at Sale Waterside. © Trafford Council

It was officially unveiled on World Mental Health Day (10 October) and was a collaboration between We Are Willow, Wild in Arts and Arts and Minds.

Arts and Minds is a community group set up by Bluesci, a mental health and wellbeing service in Trafford that offers a variety of programmes and services to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, attended the unveiling and was delighted with the project and its results.

He said: "Culture doesn’t just stand alone in isolation. It has a deep impact on our daily lives. Take this magnificent sculpture. The people who have taken part in the project have done an amazing job. Just as importantly, this project has been beneficial to them and to their own mental health.”

Manchester based artist Ekun relishes rich, earthy tones that celebrate the physicality of nature.

From left: Council leader Tom Ross, Louise Hewitt (Arts and Minds) and and Trafford Mayor Amy Whyte © Trafford Council.

His artwork A Different Light is one of a series of six striking sculptures that were installed across Greater Manchester to promote mental health awareness and wellbeing.

The project was funded and supported by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, Salford City Council, The University of Salford, LandsecU+I and Arts Council England.

For more details about the project, visit adifferentlightproject.com.