PhD student’s landmark sculpture installed at Leeds Beckett University

Lara Rose’s life-size sculpture of Dr Connor is now viewable in the Leeds School of Arts building and is thought to be one of the only statues of a black person on public display in the city. 

The two enjoyed a close relationship, with Lara starring in Dr Connor’s Carnival Messiah production and later selecting a PhD topic based on the director’s advice to explore West African Yoruba culture. 

Lara said: “In my first experience of Dr Geraldine Connor’s Carnival Messiah in 2002, the seeds were sown for further inquiry into a once forbidden Yoruba culture and language. 

“Following numerous conversations with Geraldine, and on her discovery of my Yoruba heritage, she said to me, ‘child you need to tell your story, your Yoruba story in your art.’ And now, Geraldine – Mama God - is blue to celebrate joy, like an elaborate blue ocean.”

A multi-talented performer, writer, director and educator, Dr Connor balanced her work in the performing arts industry with a Senior Lecturer role at the University of Leeds. 

She sought to build cultural and educational links between the UK and Trinidad, the country of her parents, until her death in October 2011 at the age of 59. 

Reader and Lara’s Director of Studies Alan Dunn, from Leeds Beckett University, said: “Lara has studied sculpture here at Leeds Beckett University since joining our postgraduate APD course, followed by two years on our Masters programme and now a six-year PhD by Practice. 

“In itself, that is a remarkable story and the manner in which her sculpture shifted during lockdown from smaller assemblages to this incredibly bold and important work, took us all by surprise.”

The sculpture will be on display in the foyer of the Leeds School of Arts building until the New Year. 

For more information about the school, click here.