Manchester's Engels Statue Sparks Debate Amid Ukraine War, Highlighting Art World's Response to Russian Invasion

In 2017, Phil Collins relocated a statue of Friedrich Engels from Mala Pereshchepina, Ukraine, to Tony Wilson Place in Manchester, situated outside the HOME art centre. Originally installed during the Soviet era, the statue had been severed in two and left behind. Engels, who spent a considerable amount of time in Manchester, collaborated with Mary Burns to write "The Condition of the Working Class in England" in 1845. Collins chronicled the statue's relocation in his 2017 film "Ceremony," which showcased varied public reactions. Recently, HOME addressed the statue's significance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prompting discussions about its potential removal, which the organization refuted. This debate highlights the art community's complex responses to the conflict, focusing on Russian culture and communism.