Maurice Harron takes his art to the public
A LEADING Derry sculptor, who works from a foundry in Burt, has taken to the streets to ask local people their views for his next big piece of work.
A LEADING Derry sculptor has taken to the streets to ask local people their views for his next big piece of work.
The artist behind the city's famous 'Hands Across the Divide' sculpture, on the Craigavon Bridge roundabout, is to create more pieces of art for towns across the north west.
Maurice Harron has been commissioned to produce two pieces of work as part of an innovative trail of twelve pieces of public art located in towns and villages throughout Strabane District Council and County Donegal.
The project is part of a unique cross-border programme, HEART (Heritage, Environment, Art and Rural Tourism), and Maurice's distinct sculptures were favoured for their unique style.
Based at the Foundry, overlooking Lough Swilly at Burt, much of Harron's work uses the ancient craft of bronze casting and are instantly recognisable for their style in various formats, including bronze and stainless steel.
Maurice said: "I was invited to make a submission as part of the overall project, of which the public art is only a part. I understand that the ten towns and villages involved will be upgrading their shop fronts and the overall presentation of their towns in order to create a kind of tourist trail.
"The interesting part of the process, from the artist's point of view, is that I am to develop the art pieces in consultation with the local people.
"I've already had a series of meetings in both Raphoe and Donemana, to try to find out what the people there think is important in terms of their identity and their locality. They've given me a lot of ideas.
"Now, I'm working on two preliminary models for each town and will submit these to the committee on September 4.
"Once the two final designs are selected, I'll get to work on casting the pieces."
Maurice said he was looking forward to working with the HEART project and the towns of Raphoe and Donemana.
He said: "They are both ancient settlements with distinctive historical, social, environmental and ecclesiastical characteristics. Both towns have rich narratives and folklore, which colours their identify.
"The HEART project offers possibilities for some very creative work which must also be seen within its wider context, as part of the HEART cross-border sculpture trail."
Seven artists in all have been commissioned for the work and are currently researching, linking with communities and devising initial concepts, with twelve pieces of new public art expected to be in place by summer 2008.
The HEART programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Border Action.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
