What: Linked twin sculpture projects involving: A) 2 professional local artists: Claire Morris and Janine Creaye who are part of the 2 by 4 Artists' group based in Horsham, and who each have over 20 years experience as artists in the region. B) Community groups around Horsham Park. A number of interested parties were identified: users of the Mental Health unit at Horsham Hospital which is adjacent to the park, Art Students at Collyers Sixth Form College which is opposite, Friends of Horsham Park who indicated a desire to participate in practical workshops, Circles Network who run the Festival of Inclusion in June . A theme of organic movement was chosen to link these sculptures and future additions to the Scattered Seeds Project. Where: The artists worked in close conjunction with Parks Manager, Community Liaison Officer and Friends of the site to identify specific locations for sculpture which are little visited, would fit in with current use, maintenance and planting plans. There are two related sites in this initial phase. One close to the pond and the other in the further copse area. Community: Workshop projects were run with Collyers and Horsham Hospital, there were presentations to and meetings with Friends of Horsham Park there were 3 open day session at festivals for the public and a week long residency in the Park. There was a week-long period where the artists worked within the park as a residency in May 2007. This enabled the public to discuss, view, and gain an understanding of the process of making each of the linked sculptures. There is a contrast of methods to see (woodcarving and stone carving). Outcome: Workshop results, design work and documentation of work in progress will be displayed to the public in the Capitol from 3 rd July for a month for people to feel engaged with the artwork arriving in this much loved Park. Documentation will also be displayed on the council website with opportunities for feedback and discussion. The final works have been installed in the park in such a way as to resist vandalism and weather damage as much as possible. There will remain a sense of discovery as people reach these less used locations within the Park site. The work will be a focus for school visits and festival events (See above) Materials/methods: It was agreed that wood was the appropriate material for certain areas of the park and that stone could be used within others. The two projects contrast these two natural materials, the methods of working with them and their very different tactile properties. The wood stands upright, pierced through (but not climbable), making a gateway to the shift of mood from the more formal areas, to the more natural where things are allowed to develop and grow with less control. The stone installation consists of two pieces, making connections with the pond area. They creating droplet forms, and reflect the shape and movement of water. The wood is green oak sourced from the Sussex sawmills at Balcombe Estates. It has great properties of withstanding the weather and carves well in its green state. The splits and movement which have developed during this process will enhance its fitting in with the more natural areas of the park. The stone is two types, including Horsham stone, which has been used in roofing and building for hundreds of years (since Roman times) in the district. Although it is not ideal for fine carving it has been used in a more broad and tactile way here. It has been sourced from a recently reopened quarry in Broadbridge Heath, which has responded to the strong public interest in renovating houses with authentic local materials. Funding
The sculptures were funded by the Friends of Horsham Park (Awards for All lottery grant) with extra support from Horsham District Council Parks Department and Arts Budget.
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