Name: Heart of Glass
Price range: $

“Joy is an essential component of imagining a queer future” - Christopher Bigelow

What does a more inclusive and welcoming world look like for everyone, especially for those in the LGBTQIA+ community?

This is the question artists Emma Colbert and Leo Soph Welton are exploring with LGBTQIA+ young people from The Lee Cooper Foundation, and staff at Northern. Over a series of workshops, Emma, Leo and their collaborators have been experimenting with collage, planting, poetry, photography, drawing/painting and placard making. Together, these ideas will inspire two new artworks for Prescot and Newton-le-Willows train stations, platforming LGBTQIA+ voices from satellite towns between Liverpool and Manchester.

The artworks carry a positive message of how we can all support each other in creating safer, more welcoming places to live. The title comes from the realistic or attainable concept of a good place; the word ‘utopia’, on the other hand, is a place that does not exist. The project aims to strengthen the local LGBTQIA+ community so that our young people have the support they deserve.

The mural is photographed from one side of the bridge, the word 'Community' is in focus. — Photo by Radka Dolinska

A group of people stand on the bridge, smiling at the camera. They are stood behind a big red ribbon. — Photo by Radka Dolinska

The mural is photographed at an arial view, it reads 'Love Your Community', surrounded by pattern and is painted on a train station bridge. — Photo by Steve Samosa

A group of young people smile at the camera holding the ribbon.

The mural is photographed at an arial view, it reads 'Differences help us to be exciting', surrounded by pattern and is painted on a train station bridge. — Photo by Steve Samosa

A group of people stand on the bridge talking and looking at the colourful mural. — Photo by Radka Dolinska

Part of the mural is photographed from up close, the words 'Differences help us' can be seen. — Photo by Radka Dolinska

3 young people holding hot drinks look closely at the mural, one is talking with one hand on the wall and the other 2 are smiling. — Photo by Radka Dolinska

For Knowsley Flower Show, the artists created limited edition Be An Ally seed cards, which were available for attendees to take away for free and plant at home.

The project continues this year in St Helens, where Emma and Leo will collaborate with young people from Newton Community Centre, on another mural for Newton-le-Willows train station.

The word 'Community' is made out of artificial flowers and leaves, the 'unity' in community is in white and 'comm' is in green.

A man's torso is photographed, in his hand is a 'Be an Ally' postcard. He wears a checkered shirt and is in the park.

An A board that reads 'Be an Ally' is photographed, and a background about the Queer Eutopia is written on it.

Producer Rhiannon Parry, Artist Leo Soph Welton and the Mayor of Halewood are photographed smiling behind the 'Community' artwork.

Leo is photographed smiling in conversation with a flower show attendee from behind a table with postcards on it.

Emma Colbert-Mooring

Leo Soph Welton

Supported by Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme. Supported by Homotopia. Created in collaboration with Northern, Lee Cooper Foundation and Newton Community Centre.