J. F. Kennedy Memorial, Birmingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids J. F. Kennedy Memorial |
|
|---|---|
The completed recreation, February 2013 (Former Birmingham mayor Nangle visible bottom right)
|
|
| Artist | Kenneth Budd |
| Year | 1968 |
| Type | Mosaic mural |
| Subject | John F. Kennedy |
| Dimensions | 4.5 m × 14 m (15 ft × 46 ft) |
| Condition | Recreated 2012–2013 |
| Location | Birmingham, England |
| 52°28′30″N 1°53′11″W / 52.474950°N 1.886312°W | |
The J. F. Kennedy Memorial in Birmingham, England, is a special mosaic mural. It was created by Kenneth Budd to remember John F. Kennedy. Kennedy was a very important President of the United States.
The mosaic was ordered by the Irish community in Birmingham. People donated money to help pay for it. It was built in pieces at Kenneth Budd's company in London.
Where Was the Mural First?
The mosaic was first put up in July 1968. It was placed at St Chad's Circus (at about 52°29′08″N 1°54′01″W / 52.485451°N 1.900173°W). This was outside the city's Roman Catholic St Chad's Cathedral. The cost to build it was £5,000.
In 2007, the roads in the area were changed. Because of this, the mosaic had to be taken down. Some important parts were saved. These included the heads of some of the main people shown in the mosaic. Kenneth Budd's son, Oliver, kept these pieces.
Building It Again
In 2012, the memorial was built again using new materials. The new mosaic was put up in January 2013. It is now in Birmingham's Irish Quarter, on Floodgate Street in Digbeth.
The new mosaic looks a bit different. A new face was added, which was of Mike Nangle. He was the first Irish Lord Mayor of the city. Oliver Budd, Kenneth Budd's son, managed the project. He used his father's original drawings to guide the work.
The old saved pieces were not used in the new mosaic. This was because their colors had faded. They would not have matched the bright new mosaic tiles. The new memorial was officially shown to the public on February 23, 2013.
What the Mural Shows
The mosaic shows John F. Kennedy. His brother, Teddy, is also featured. You can also see the Seal of the President of the United States. This part of the mosaic uses real gold!
Other figures in the artwork include Martin Luther King Jr. and American policemen.
The Words on the Mural
The text on the mosaic has a small mistake. It says John F. Kennedy was president from 1960. However, he actually became president in January 1961. This mistake was also on the first mosaic.
The original mosaic had words on both sides. The words on the right side were all in capital letters:
There are
no white or
coloured
signs on
the grave-
yards of
battle
The new mosaic has different words. On the left side, also in capital letters, it says:
In tribute
to John F
Kennedy
President
of
the United
States
1960-3
And on the right side, it says:
A man
may die
nations
may rise
and fall
but an
idea
lives on
