ABOUT THE SCULPTURE AND ITS LOCATION
Back in May 2011 I made the mistake of booking what must be the worst hotel in Belfast and after one night I decided to find somewhere else and I ended with a room at a reasonable price at the Europa. Unfortunately, now in 2024, I could not justify paying the asking price for a room at the Europa and I cancelled my 2023 and 2024 visits to Belfast.
The "Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker" by Louise Walsh is a sculpture located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the entrance of the Europa Hotel. It is a significant piece due to its history, subject matter, and the controversy surrounding its initial commission and placement.
History and Subject Matter
The sculpture was commissioned in the late 1980s by the Department of the Environment for Blackstaff Square, a location near a red-light district. The original brief focused on reflecting the social history of the area, particularly prostitution. However, Walsh chose to broaden the scope and create a tribute to all women workers, especially those in unrecognised and undervalued roles. This decision led to the sculpture featuring two larger-than-life women, standing tall and proud, symbolising the strength and resilience of women in the workforce.
Controversy and Relocation
Walsh's interpretation of the brief led to significant opposition from the Belfast Development Office and Belfast City Council. They objected to the sculpture's placement in Blackstaff Square and the message it conveyed. As a result, the project was initially dropped. However, a few years later, a private developer recommissioned the work, and it was eventually placed at the entrance of the Europa Hotel in 1992.
The "Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker" by Louise Walsh is a sculpture located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the entrance of the Europa Hotel. It is a significant piece due to its history, subject matter, and the controversy surrounding its initial commission and placement.
History and Subject Matter
The sculpture was commissioned in the late 1980s by the Department of the Environment for Blackstaff Square, a location near a red-light district. The original brief focused on reflecting the social history of the area, particularly prostitution. However, Walsh chose to broaden the scope and create a tribute to all women workers, especially those in unrecognised and undervalued roles. This decision led to the sculpture featuring two larger-than-life women, standing tall and proud, symbolising the strength and resilience of women in the workforce.
Controversy and Relocation
Walsh's interpretation of the brief led to significant opposition from the Belfast Development Office and Belfast City Council. They objected to the sculpture's placement in Blackstaff Square and the message it conveyed. As a result, the project was initially dropped. However, a few years later, a private developer recommissioned the work, and it was eventually placed at the entrance of the Europa Hotel in 1992.
ABOUT THE SCULPTURE AND ITS LOCATION