The Lowry reveals the five artists selected to create a sculpture trail on Salford Quays
The Lowry is delighted to announce the five artists chosen to create heritage-inspired public art pieces as part of Unlocking Salford Quays, the community-led, Heritage Lottery-funded project at the heart of the art centre’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Following an impressive response to an open-call for submissions and an intensive short-listing and selection process, which offered Salford residents involved with the project the opportunity to view and voice their opinions on all short-listed proposals, five artists have been selected to create five pieces of public art which will form a heritage trail around Salford Quays from October 2010.
The selected artists are…
David Appleyard
Public artist David Appleyard creates works which encourage a measure of personal connection. For Unlocking Salford Quays, the Sheffield-based artist will work with youth groups from Salford to create a piece that explores the experiences of people who once lived and worked on Salford Quays.
Silverdale School, Sheffield, 2008
Ingrid Hu
Taiwanese artist Ingrid Hu’s work will explore the echoes of Salford Quays’ industrial past, looking at the area as a metaphoric entity that allowed the movement of goods and people. Hu will be working closely with families who live on three streets in Salford which featured on a local map produced in 1905 and still remain today
World Expo, UK Pavilion, Shanghai, 2010
Mor
Mor is a team of experienced landscape architects, public artists and spatial designers, with a collective experience working internationally as well as in the UK. Mor will work closely with current Salford Quays workers and residents to create a piece inspired by the juxtaposition of old and new on the Quays.
Your Turn, Little Tern, Durham Heritage Coastline, 2010
Unusual
Based in Manchester, Unusual create artworks that are unique to their context. Inspired by stories of former dock-workers, who described Salford Quays (formally Manchester Docks) as a gateway to the world, Unusual will work with schoolchildren born in 2000, the year The Lowry opened, to create a striking work situated on The Quays.
Play Sculptures (Sensory Courtyard), Stanley, 2009
Broadbent
Cheshire-based company Broadbent is a collective of artists, designers and makers based around the experienced public artist Stephen Broadbent. Collaborating closely with a group of former Manchester Dock workers, Broadbent will create a touching testament to the former life of Salford Quays.
Connections – Face Of Liverpool, 2006
Michael Simpson, The Lowry’s Head of Visual Arts & Engagement says: ‘These five pieces of high-quality public art will form a powerful reminder of the rich history of Salford Quays, and its promise for the future. Many factors were taken into consideration when making this choice, including the quality of the artists’ designs, their understanding of the Quay’s heritage and their commitment to working with Salford communities. We have already worked with hundreds of Salford people to get this far and will be working with thousands more as the trail is designed, installed and launched’.
Salford Quays, formerly known as Manchester Docks, is at the heart of the history of the City of Salford and, because of its economic and industrial role over the past century, at the heart of Salford communities. This heritage is currently invisible, however, with little remaining evidence or explanaition of the importance of the location. Over the next year, Unlocking Salford Quays will bring this heritage back into focus, ensuring it lives on.
Alongside the permanent heritage trail on Salford Quays, Unlocking Salford Quays will include an exhibition in The Lowry galleries in August, where the stories and artefacts uncovered during the project’s research phase will be available for all to see. There will also be an exciting series of live events, which will take place on and around the trail in 2010 and 2011.
The Lowry celebrated its 10th anniversary on 28 April 2010 and has spent 10 years delighting, engaging and challenging both local and national audiences with the very best in visual art and performance. The Lowry Centre Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation and registered charity (no. 1053962). All income supports our world-class Theatres and Galleries programme, the care and display of the LS Lowry Collection and our life-changing Community and Education work. The Lowry’s Chief Executive, Julia Fawcett was awarded an OBE for services to the Arts in the Queen’s 2010 New Year Honours list.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
Posted on Friday, 21 May 2010 under Press General Press Community & Education Press