The Circle of Compassion began as a vision by sculptor and visual artist Carmen Clews to create a public interactive artwork exploring connection, belonging, and our shared humanity.

Selected individuals connected to themes of compassion, care, service, and connection were invited into the studio to become part of the evolving circle. Through a combination of 3D scanning, sculpting, handwritten global reflections, portraiture refinement and bronze casting, the figures gradually began to emerge.

Cape Town–based artist Ruth Shaw came on board to collaborate early in the evolution of The Circle of Compassion.

As part of the vision for the project, people from around the world were invited to respond — in their own language — to the question:

“What connects us as human beings, no matter our age, race, religion, culture, or background?”

Together, we explored how these handwritten reflections, words, and quotations on compassion could become physically embedded into the surface of the sculptures themselves — allowing them to carry the voices and shared experiences of people from around the world.

These writings became woven into the physical texture and emotional fabric of the sculptures, transforming them into layered expressions of connection, vulnerability, compassion, and shared humanity.