One Giant Leap for Humankind, a sculpture by former Architecture student Jacob Chandler, is being showcased at Birmingham New Street station’s Eastern Plaza until Monday 5 September.
Featuring an athlete full of power and dynamism, the sculpture is linked to the Commonwealth with a toposcope denoting the direction and distance to each Commonwealth country.
Jacob lives with Colitis and the rare genetic condition Ehlers Danlos syndrome, and crippling fatigue and pain leave him at times unable to leave the house. The collagen in his body is so faulty that in order to sculpt, he had to wear finger and wrist braces to hold his joints in place as he built supporting muscles, through diligent physiotherapy.
At eighteen Jacob attended BCU to study Architecture but due to an allergic reaction, which exacerbated his colitis, he was forced home just weeks into the term. During his convalescence he took solace in sculpting.
It soon became clear that this was his true vocation and now at twenty seven, Jacob boasts large public, private and corporate commissions, exhibitions in New York, Philadelphia, Moscow and Athens. His bronzes stand in galleries alongside artists such as Dali, Bacon and Picasso.
Jacob said: "It’s great that the public are at last beginning to positively acknowledge and discuss difference and diversity. For years I’ve hidden my health issues in the fear of discrimination but seeing a wider acceptance, particularly in sport, is encouraging.
“I still don’t know if I would feel comfortable talking about these issues, if it were not for the success I’ve had over the last few years, but I now feel it is important to try to be a force for empowerment for those struggling with unseen chronic conditions.
“It’s not unusual for people to wait over thirty years for their diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Meanwhile they are left with no direction and no hope, feeling isolated and very unwell. I hope I can help by drawing attention to hidden disabilities and by doing so, improve awareness and earlier diagnosis.”