Arts4Wokingham

On local artwork, sculptures and ‘The Arc’

Following on from my interview with Richard Young, and keen to learn more about local artists, I came across an organisation which I wasn’t previously aware of – namely, a recently formed local charity, Arts4Wokingham, and I had a very interesting and informative chat with a delightful gentleman and Trustee, Paddy Haycocks.

He is a broadcaster, probably best known to local people as presenter of BBC One’s ‘South Today’ in the 90’s and BBC Two’s ‘The Travel Show’. For the past four decades he has worked as a producer, director and reporter on a wide range of factual programming for all major broadcasters and has always maintained a keen interest in the arts. I wanted to ask Paddy about the artwork and scupltures in and around Wokingham and Bracknell which can be viewed on the website - www.arts4wokingham.com ‘’These are some examples of local art in Wokingham Borough, and whilst these were not commissioned by A4W, we would love to see a lot more public art especially in new developments’’ he explained.

Now, we have all heard about the new ‘Arc’ sculpture to be erected at the Carnival Hub site in the Town Centre and Paddy shared this insight as to who and what is behind the design.

“This stunning sculptural structure, designed by acclaimed international artist, Nicola Anthony, will be located outside the town’s new cultural, sports and leisure complex, The Carnival Hub. It comprises a number of polished stainless steel arches featuring a series of meaningful cut out words and phrases sourced from workshops and interactive sessions with the local community. Nicola has already begun to run sessions in which she seeks to unearth how people living locally feel about the area. She’s keen to source emotions and observations about what Wokingham means to people, both now and in the future. Her findings will form

The Arc - Nicola Anthony

Top: Wood sculptures, Elms Field - Stephen Radford. Bottom left to right: Nicola Anthony, New Beginnings - Montague Park, The Water Babies - Lydia Karpinska

key parts of the text that will hallmark her work. If you’d like to contribute and share your thoughts and stories you can do so by visiting the following link on A4W’s website – www.arts4wokingham. com/community-consultations and clicking on ‘Tell us your story’.’’

I assumed, possibly like many locals, that the scuplture is funded by public money leading some to voice the opinion that the money could be better spent elsewhere, however, Paddy explained that ‘The Arc’ is being funded by grants, sponsorship and donations and A4W has now begun its campaign to raise £200,000 to complete the project. Well that is quite an amount of money, isn’t it?

As well as contributing to Wokingham’s most substantial and eye catching public art work to date, there’s an opportunity to engage personally with this project. Any resident or business donating £200 or more will have their name displayed in the public arena for all to see. The project team is currently looking at a variety of options which will allow the names of these donors to be recorded and highlighted as significant supporters and contributors to this campaign. Needless to say, smaller donations are being welcomed, too.

If you would like to donate, you can do so on www.arts4wokingham.com or for more information, email info@arts4wokingham.com

The award-winning Ms Anthony was chosen following her vision for a special metal sculpture. Each of the arches that comprise the work will have words and phrases relating to Wokingham borough cut into them. Some of the more accessible text will be in braille as Ms Anthony is keen that her work should be as inclusive as possible. The arches will combine to offer a pathway into and out of the building. This follows on from a recent commission in the United States, initiated by Spielberg, who unveiled the finished work.

Ms Anthony reportedly said she is relishing the challenge ahead, and can’t wait to embrace the local community and secure their input into helping her shape her initial ideas into something that is both relevant and meaningful to all those who live in the borough. Jacqui Priestley