We are delighted to display this sculpture at City Art Centre as part of DiscoveryLab – its first display outside of London. Created to mark National Engineering Day 2024, this sculpture was part of an art project to celebrate inspirational engineers.

The sculpture represents Alice Kan, a mechanical engineer who played an important role in the manufacture of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Starting with a production line and team of one, she led efforts to grow the team, develop the process, set up manufacture and produce 100 million doses for use in the UK. Her work continues today developing Ebola vaccines.

The pivotal question – what makes an engineer? – rings as strongly today as ever before. Women still make up only 15.7% of UK engineering workforce – down from 16.5% in 2023 – and a lack of visible role models is seen as a key factor in why fewer women are considering a career in engineering. By showcasing a story as inspiring as Alice Kan’s, this sculpture by renowned artist Kelly Anna champions the fact that engineering is for everyone.

Image: PA