Una White

Una White (died April 1997)[1] was a Jamaican-British nurse who achieved posthumous notability when her name was placed, in 12 feet (3.7 m) high[1][2] illuminated lettering, on Birmingham Central Library (since demolished) for three weeks,[1] as an art installation by Joshua Sofaer[1] part of the city's Fierce! festival.[3] The sign was illuminated from 17 May to 3 June 2007.[2][3]

Una White
The artwork in situ
DiedApril 1997 (aged 58)
MonumentsIlluminated lettering on Birmingham Central Library, 2007
Occupations
Known forOrdinariness

Her name was suggested for use in the artwork by her daughter Carol,[1] after a public appeal for people to nominate a friend or family member who deserved to have their name in lights.[2] Una was selected from a number of entries, by a panel comprising advertising mogul Trevor Beattie, broadcaster Mark Lawson, celebrity agent Jonathan Shalit, fashion designer Jemima French, and This Morning presenter Alison Hammond.[3]

Sofaer said the project was "aimed at encouraging people to think about the meaning of celebrity", and that:

I wanted people to think about who they want as their role models. There might be unknown ones which are better than Posh Spice.[4][1]

Formerly a hairdresser,[1] White moved to the United Kingdom from Jamaica in the 1960s[2] and trained as a nurse before working at St Margaret's (Mental) Hospital in Walsall.[1]

References
  1. Pinch, Emma (18 May 2007). "Heroic Una's name up in lights". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  2. Kenny, Lee (18 May 2007). "That's mum on the roof!". Birmingham Mail: 6.
  3. "Name in Lights - Una White". Birmingham City Council. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  4. "Posh Spice" was a stage name of Victoria Beckham
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