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Search for public artist finds three winners
Richard is producing a stone sculpture, incorporating imagery of willow leaves, which has been inspired by the River Kennet, bringing nature into the courtyard setting.spacerBack in May, we launched a national campaign to find a public artist to produce a piece of art as the centrepiece for our new sheltered housing complex at Carnarvon Place, Newbury.

After getting over 40 applications of an incredibly high standard, we shortlisted five artists to work up their ideas. Each one offered very different ideas and specialisms.

In July, each made the journey to Newbury to formally make their presentation to our judging panel which included three residents, one from each of the closing schemes (Malvern Court, St Donats and Thomas Askew).

All five proposals were extremely strong but after many hours of debate, the panel chose Richard Perry, a nationally acclaimed artist from Nottingham, as the final winner of the £5,000 commission. Below are some examples of his past work.

Click on each image to enlarge it

Balustrade - Carved Red Wilderness sandstone, Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery - click for larger image  
Freedom Tree - Bronze sculpture, St Helier. Commissioned by Jersey Public Sculpture Trust to commemorate 60 years since the liberation of jersey - click for larger image
  
Richard has also agreed to run workshops at each of the three closing schemes, to meet with the residents who will be moving in to Carnarvon Place. He will explain his ideas behind the sculpture, provide photographs of progress and answer questions - click for larger image
       
Needle - click for larger image
Fountain Trees - Ceramic water sculptures, Festival Square, Basingstoke. Commissioned by Grosvenor Estates - click for larger image

As an added and unexpected outcome to the formal commission, the panel were so taken by two other proposals, that we have also decided to appoint Paul Forsey and Jos Whinney to produce additional pieces of art for the development.

Paul Forsey (www.stepintothepicture.co.uk) will produce three mosaics illustrating the history of the Carnarvon family, and these will be located inside the impressive Atrium. Paul is a well-known local artist, responsible for producing the popular Newbury Mosaic outside Newbury Library. Paul will be using recycled materials from each of the closing schemes within his mosaics.

Jos Whinney (www.smithwhinney.co.uk) is a sculptor from Banbury who works mainly in forged steel. Jos will be producing a copse of striking metal and sculptural glass flowers for the rear garden area.

Lord Carnarvon will unveil the sculpture, and the two additional pieces of art, at the official opening of Carnarvon Place in February 2007.

Published 15 September 2006
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