Funky Trunk
Created by: Alison Carpenter- Hughes
Location: Haymarket Bus Station – Belgrave Gate
Overview
The inspiration for Funky Trunk was to create a bold and fun design, with a focus on bright colour and modern pattern. Leicester-based artist Alison Carpenter-Hughes has made her Elephant striking and impactful to encourage people to stop, look and find out more.
Location
Haymarket Bus Station – Belgrave Gate
Meet the Artist
Alison Carpenter – Hughes
I am an award-winning mixed-media artist, workshop facilitator and arts event organiser/ project manager. My practice is a process-driven exploration of material, with a current focus on textiles, and in particular free motion embroidery. I exhibit and sell artwork internationally, work on private and public commissions, including large scale installations and sculptures, and have taught art to people of all ages for twenty five years. I am also passionate about community arts and have co-organised events such as the Leicester Textiles Festival and the Textiles Takeover, and co-set up the Mission Magpie community hub in the Haymarket Shopping Centre. I was recently awarded the Arts Council ‘Develop Your Creative Practice’ fund and since September, I have been creating artworks for a solo exhibition in London next year.

Meet the Elephants
Ezra
Created by: Merrydale Junior SchoolLocation: Leicester Cathedral - Main HallOur school values are belonging, excellence, aspiration and respect. We decided that our baby elephant should be respectful and kind because it can set a good example for the rest of the...
Ezra
Created by: Mercenfeld Primary SchoolLocation: Haymarket Shopping Centre - Community Hub (window)The school ran a competition for the children to complete their sculpture designs and winners were then picked. Ideas from the four winning designs were picked to go on...
Maple
Created by: Maplewell Hall SchoolLocation: Leicester Museum & Art Gallery - Leicester Stories Gallery (downstairs)Maple isn’t just any model elephant— their burst of colour and creativity makes them totally unique! With their bright rainbow of blues, reds,...
Deena, the DNA-lephant
Created by: MacIntyreLocation: Leicester Museum & Art Gallery - Leicester Stories Gallery (Downstairs)Our DNA is what makes us as people and in the same way our company DNA illustrates all our values. All the people who draw on our support made their own design on...
Baby Botanical
Created by: Lucy HebdenLocation: Highcross Upper Mall - outside Timberland / Holland & BarrettBaby Botanical is inspired by the African forest elephants who are the smallest elephant species, and perfect for a smaller sculpture. They live in the tropical forests...
Lemmy the Elephant
Created by: Loughborough Grammar SchoolLocation: DMU - The GalleryThe boys of Loughborough Grammar school came up with their own designs based on the values and heritage of our school and to reflect the diversity of our student body and wider community. The design was...
Nova
Created by: Loughborough Baptist ChurchLocation: Haymarket Shopping Centre- Central SquareEach group thought about elephants and their habitats, taking part in games and craft activities relating to elephants. They learned about elephants’ lives, from new beginnings...
Dotty
Created by: LOROS HospiceSponsored by: Dryad EducationLocation: Highcross Upper Mall - Opposite BootsDotty was designed by LOROS Hospice’s CHANCE Club (bereaved children's club). They decided to incorporate our Tree of Life into the design so all of our staff,...
Tales
Created by: Leicester Libraries Neighbourhood ServicesSponsored by: QDOSLocation: Leicester Central Library - UpstairsThe Library was inspired by the Elmer story book, post cards were gathered together from library users and community groups, including nurseries,...