She will show one of the sculptures to local MP Daniel Zeichner at she makes a crowdfunding plea this Friday (25 October) at Shire Hall, Castle Hill, Cambridge.
Carole Concha Bell’s grandad Santiago Bell arrived in Cambridge in 1975 as a refugee after being expelled from Chile following the 1973 coup when Pinochet came to power. The talented artist exhibited his first sculpture in 1976 in Lion's Yard. He went on to create hundreds more sculptures from scrap wood, which explored the themes of poverty and injustice.
Sadly, much of his work has fallen into disrepair, having been stored in garages, living rooms and attics. After her grandfather’s death Carole Concha Bell, started to track down the pieces one by one and to piece together a history of both the work and Santiago’s legacy.
Carole has already raised £3500 of her £10,000 target to restore the sculptures and put on an exhibition.
She says: “We want people to see the work, and we think that Cambridge, the city that Santiago first called home when he reached the UK, is the place to do it. He was a sculptor who believed in the power of art as a transformational tool for both individuals and societies. We aim to restore his sculpture collection and exhibit them in Cambridge, the place of his refuge and where his first piece was exhibited, in an event that we hope, will unite people from all walks of life. His inspirational story of perseverance, strength and the belief in community is one that deserves to be remembered."
Daniel Zeichner MP said: “I am delighted to look at this beautiful sculpture. The message of Santiago’s works about the problems of poverty and injustice are as relevant today as when he first made them.”