sculpture works · sculpture works resume. sculpture works is based in wirksworth, derbyshire; it...

SCULPTURE WORKS Ltd.38-40 NORTHENDWIRKSWORTHDERBYSHIREDE4 4FG

PHONE / FAX 01629 825270Mobile 07887 956332Email [email protected]

Sculpture Works

Sculpture WorksResume.

Sculpture Works is based in Wirksworth, Derbyshire; it is made up of Denis O’Connor, Sculptor, and Bernardine Rutter, Printmaker and Arts Education Worker.

We have worked with the medium of sculpture for over eighteen years on a variety of Public Commissions. These opportunities have allowed us to make-work for Urban and Rural sites within the Public and Private sectors. Both nationally and internationally.

The combination of our professional disciplines has enables us to undertake a wide variety of public art projects including consultancy work / art workshops / residency / exhibition, the out-come of this work has supported the management, design, fabrication and installation of land-mark sculpture works in England and Ireland.

The majority of our work begins with in depth research in to a site/area, talking to local people, including local residents, historians/archivists, environmental officers, local businesses, schools and clubs. We enjoy uncovering and rediscovering lost stories and histories, a sort of Artistic Archae-ology.

We run practical workshops including casting, construction and printmaking and hold public exhibitions for local people to reflect on ideas and to keep them informed and excited about a project. We also meet individually with residents to discuss their ideas.

We are experienced in working in collaboration with commissioning teams, local council planning teams, landscape architects and environmental officers, community organisations and schools.

We believe the artwork needs to function with an audience as well as it does visually and prac-tically within a physical site. The appropriate process of consultation is vital for the successful implementation of a public artwork

Our aims are: -

A] To design and fabricate work of an appropriate scale that is dynamic in its use of sculptural form. B] To work towards visually enhancing and enriching the site by creating work which draws upon the elements of local history, geography and current aspirations.

C] To make a significant contribution to an areas cultural heritage and to engage the audience of visitors and users of a site.

E] To make work that is well-engineered and robust, from materials that are durable, low main-tenance and minimize the scope for vandalism.

F] To work in partnership with the client team and all relevant agencies, towards the successful siteing and implementation of the public art work.

G] To where possible develop a consultation programme to inform and involve local residential and commercial groups, local schools and other relevant groups and individuals.

H]To create work within a given budget to relevant timescales.

Selected Recent Public Art Projects :-

Cahersiveen, Kerry County Council.

The Junction Arts Center, Goole, Yorkshire.

Brighter Belfast, Belfast City Council, Stranmillis, Belfast.

Louth County Council, Termonfeckin, County Louth.

Donegal / Strabane Heart Sculpture Trail in Ballyshannon and Newtown Stewart.

Morrissions Supermarket, Speake, Liverepool.

St Alkmunds Bridge, Derby City Council.

Greening for Growth, Stoke on Trent City Council, Central Forest Park

Stoke City Council, Waterside Primary School, Joiners Square, Stoke-on-Trent

The National Roads Authority of Ireland , New Ross, Co Wexford.

British Airways, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Aishling Park, Dundalk Town Council, Dundalk Ireland.

Sure Start, Normanton, Derby City Council, Derby.

Burleigh Sculpture Gardens, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Advantage West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent.

Derby City Council, Sinfin, Derby.

Wirksworth Festival, the National Stone Centre, Wirksworth.

The National Roads Authority of Ireland, Croom, Co Limerick.

Current Commissions:Leicester City CouncilPrestatyn Town CouncilGoole Town Council

Current Exhibitions:Head Heart & Hands. The Richard Attenborough Centre, the University of Leicester’s Arts Cen-tre. Leicester.

“A walk through an artist’s garden”, F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Banbridge, Co. Down.

1. Sweet Water Arch, Stranmillis, Belfast, 2009

Project Title: Brighter Belfast

Title: Sweet Water Arch

Site: Stranmillis Belfast

Completion Date: 2009

Description: Part of the Recent Brighter Belfast Public Art Project. The sculpture aims to make reference to:. the origins of the name Stanmillis, ‘an Struthan Millis, sweet river’, acknowledging the River Lagan, the Lagan navigation, the transportation of good on ‘Lighters’ [transport barges]

. the Stranmillis teacher training college and Queen University, a place or seat of learning

. the Lyric theatre, a cultural landmark of the city

. the Percy French song ‘The Cruise of the Callabar’

. the significance of rowing to the area and the college

Community Consultation: The piece was researched with young people from 3 local schools, local residents, interested individuals, Staff and students from Stranmillis University College. We held practical printmaking and ceramic workshops to illustrate the ideas the young people and local residents whilst researching the history of the area and the ‘lost’ Lagan Navigation.

Key Requirements: The aim of this commission was to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Stranmillis area of south Belfast by creating a thoughtful and engaging piece of public art to mark the junction of the river and one of the busiest routes into the city centre and University area of south Belfast. Height restriction of 4mts.

Materials: Stainless Steel.

Dimensions: Ht 4mts x Lt 4.5mts,

Client: Belfast City Council

2.Termonfeckin Raven Tree, Co Louth 2008

Project Title: Louth Public Art

Title: Termonfeckin Raven Tree

Site: Termonfeckin


Description: Part of the Louth County Councils Per cent for Art SchemeThis project was initially researched by working with local historians and community members. The piece makes reference to the architectural history and to the derivation of its name from its links to St Feichin and the symbol of the little Raven.

Community Consultation: Children from Termonfeckin National School were introduced to the history behind the design for the project and then asked to help come up with ways of designing bird for the tree.

Key Requirements: An artwork developed with local community reflecting history, culture and landscape.


Dimensions: Ht 6mts x Lt 2.5mts

3. Morning Star, Ballyshannon, 2008

4. Rivers and Castles, Newtownstewart, 2008

Project Title: Donegal Strabane Heart TrailTitle: Morning Star, Ballyshannon Rivers and Castles, Newtownstewart

Site : Ballyshannon & Newtownstewart.


Description: Part of the Donegal - Strabane Heart Sculpture Trail. Morning Star, BallyshannonThe artwork celebrates the area’s rich industrial/social history and culture. The Mall Quay, Ballyshannon’s port with reference to its shipping heritage, was the first port in Ireland to import coal. It also was a port of departure for immigrants fleeing the famine. The ancient title of the River Erne ‘Morning Star’, its listing in the Annals of the four masters, the first settlers in Ireland on Inis Saimer, the demise of the Abbey Assaroe with particular reference to the name Port na Morrav [port of the dead], the solemn funeral procession being broken by the sound of the abbey bell, the loss of the Falls of Assaroe, rhythmic flowing movement, were other influences which shaped the work.Rivers and Castles, NewtownstewartThe piece makes reference to; the historical importance of the town’s castles, ‘Harry Avery’s castle, Turlough and O’Neill’s castle. The work also reflects on the architectural importance of the ‘Old Bridge’ a six arch structure, along with the physical and geographical formation of the town’s landscape, directed by the towns rivers, Mourne Strule and Owenkillen.

Community Consultation: We created a residency programme in both towns and held consultation events in a local cinema and arts centre and in a local community hall, we talked to local shop keepers/business people and passers by to get their ideas, we also met with interested individuals. The project was managed in collaboration with Heart Project Manager and local arts officers.

Key Requirements: Artists were asked to engage in conversation, chat with the local people and discover and find ‘ the special stories and special places’ of the HEART towns and villages.

Materials & Dimensions:

Morning Star - Stainless Steel. Ht 7mts x Lt3.5mts.

Rivers and Castles -Stainless Steel and Limestone, Ht 7mts x Lt4mts.

Client: HEART Project [Heritage, Environment, Art and Rural Tourism] Donegal County Council, Strabane Dis-

5. Propellor, Morrisons, Speke, Liverpool, 2008

Project Title: Speke, Liverpool - Public Artwork

Site: Morrisons, Speke.Title: Propellor


Description: A site specific sculpture for Morrison’s Food Store inspired by drawings created by young people from Parklands High School, based on architectural landmarks and aeronautical activities in Speke and the sur-rounding area.Community Consultation: Forms based on initial drawings and themes from a nearby School.

Key Requirements: Site Specific sculptural seating.


Dimensions: Ht 4.3mts x Wt 5.5mts

Client: SMC Gower Architects, Leeds.

6. Dream Gates, Dundalk, Co Louth, 2007

Project Title: Louth Public Art

Title: Dream Gates

Site: Aisling Park, Dundalk.


Description & Community Consultation: Created as part of large-scale environmental improvements to Aish-ling Park, Dundalk. ‘Dream Gates’ was created in conjunction with local young people looking at the myths and legends behind local Celtic designs. The gates mark the entrance to the new playground and skate Park.

Key Requirements: Site Specific sculptural gates.

Materials: Stainless Steel and Stone.

Dimensions: Ht 5.5mts x lt 5mts

Client: Louth County Council.

7. Tree Stories, forest Park, Hanley, Stoke on Trent. 2008

Project Title: Greening For GrowthTitle: Tree Stories

Site: Forest Park, Hanley, Stoke on Trent.

Completion Date: 2008Description & Community Consultation: Tree stories was commissioned by Stoke on Trent City Council. It aims to reflect the mining history of the area (the branches of the trees hold the tools and personal items used by miners who worked in the nearby Hanley Deep pit). Research was carried out with local historians, mining museums and two local schools. We worked closely with the councils landscape team to create a site which worked both day and night.

Key Requirements:

Materials: Stainless Steel

Dimensions: Ht 6mts x 6mts

Client: Stoke on Trent City Council

Tree Stories. Stainless Steel, Ht 6 mts x Lt 6 mts, 2008.

8. Privilege, Euturia, Stoke-on-Trent, 2005

Project Title: Stoke Approach

Title: Privilege


Description: ‘Privilege’ was commissioned By Stoke Approach; Advantage West Midlands and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. We were asked to design and fabricate a ‘Landmark’ sculpture to reflect both past achievements of the local area and future aspirations. We worked in collaboration with the Councils arts and management teams. We also worked closely with Landscape design and planning team, we coordinated all elements of community consultation in collaboration with local art officers, neighbourhood renewal liaison officers, and a local art group, local church members and Etruria industrial museum. The work is nine meters in scale, fabricated from stainless steel and is view by over 30,000 motorists each day. It has become a central landmark for the city.

Community Consultation: We informed the local community of the project by leafleting eight hundred homes in the Etruria area; this was also promoted through local newspaper articles, the council web site and local ra-dio. Children from two schools within the Etruria area of Stoke worked with us on some design aspects of the project. In addition to this educational work we also organised three public consultation exhibitions, which were held at Etruria Methodist Chapel. Etruria Industrial Museum and the Kings Hall, Stoke.

Key Requirements: To design and fabricate a ‘Landmark’ sculpture, to be sited on the land between Cavour Street and Etruria old Road adjacent to the A53. To reflect both past achievements of the local area and its future aspirations.


Dimensions: Ht 9mts x 6mts

Client: Stoke City Council

8. Privilege, Euturia, Stoke-on-Trent, 2005

9.The Maigue. Croom By-pass, Co Limerick 2004

Project Title: Limerick County Council, Croom By-pass Road Scheme

Title: The Maigue


Description: Designed to reflect the history and geography of Croom. Sited on the Croom By-Pass as part of Limerick County Council and the NRA Per Cent for Art Scheme. Researched with local residents and histori-ans.

Community Consultation: Meetings held with local residents.

Key Requirements: Site specific sculpture, landmark scale sculpture, reflection of geographical, historical and environmental features from Croom.


Dimensions: Ht 6mts x Lt 4mts

Client: Limerick County Council

10. Distant Travellers. Staffordshire County Council, Keele 1993

Project Title: Staffordshire County Council Public Art Scheme

Title: Distant Travellers


Description: Designed to reflect the lost and hidden historys of Keele Village.

Community Consultation: Researched with local residents and historians.

Key Requirements: Site specific sculpture, landmark scale sculpture, entrance feature for Keele Village.

Materials: Mild Steel, Painted

Dimensions: Ht 4.5mts x Lt 3.5mts

Client: Staffordshire County Council

Vincent O SheaArts Agent Louth County CouncilThe WeirBleach RoadKilkennyIrelandt 056 7786446f 056 7786447m 087 2384599

Paul BaileyArts Development OfficerCultural Development TeamNorth Staffordshire Regeneration PartnershipCartwright HouseBroad StreetHanleyStoke-on-TrentST1 4EUTel: 01782 237055

References

Roisin ConnollyHeart Project ManagerEconomic Development UnitStrabane District Council47 Derry RoadStrabane.Northen IrelandTel 028 71382204

sculpture works · sculpture works resume. sculpture works is based in wirksworth, derbyshire; it...

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