Five new large-scale sculptures will be on show for the first time in Wantage when they are unveiled this month.
The sculptures, created by internationally renowned sculptor Steve Geliot, will be located at the new St Mary’s housing development, and were inspired by the history of the St Mary’s convent school (1873 to 2007) and the beautiful architecture of the chapel which used to sit on the site where houses now stand.
In addition, twelve smaller pieces which have been cast in iron and bronze by local artists Helen and Wez Jacobs. They will present, as a sculpture trail, a series of poems about St Mary’s, written by poet Ros Barber, with input from community groups, including Wantage Primary School children, some of whom also carved cuttlefish-bone moulds that were cast in bronze.
The sculptures were funded by developers' contributions, secured from Berkeley Homes through the Vale of White Horse District Council's public art policy. The Vale’s arts development service commissioned public art pieces to complement the new development in St Mary's and St Gabriel's in Wantage.
The new sculptures will be on display for the first time on Saturday 19 May when artists throughout Wantage will be opening their homes and studios to the public for free during Oxfordshire Artweeks (19-27 May). St Mary’s is inviting residents and visitors to the town to come and enjoy the new installations with a special viewing at the site between 2pm and 5pm, when artists will be on hand to show visitors around.
Cllr Elaine Ware, cabinet member for Economy, leisure and property at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This project is a great investment for the area and really helps to reflect the magic and history of Wantage. Public art enhances the district's cultural heritage, giving us the opportunity to work with some great contemporary artists to help make new developments unique and distinctive areas to live in or walk around.”
The installation is timed for Oxfordshire Artweeks during which a dozen exhibitions open in and around Wantage, between Saturday 19 and Sunday 27 May, with ceramics, textiles, paintings and pastels on display.
Wez Jacobs will also be inviting visitors to see his steel sculpture in South Fawley (Artweeks venue 361), while other venues open for Artweeks include King Alfred’s Academy and Wantage Health and Wellbeing Centre.
‘Artweeks is a great opportunity for the people who live in and around Wantage to see the works of art produced in their own community, to meet the makers and hear their stories. There’s so much to see that everyone can be inspired!’ Esther Browning, Festival Director