Posts Categorized: Collections
Cable & Wireless Collection II
During 2006-2007 HS projects was invited to undertake a second evaluation of Cable & Wireless’ art collection, following the re-structuring of the company into two separate businesses; the older core cable based business and the new digital technology based communication company.
We produced a detailed report following close consultation with our clients, that led to the rationalisation of the collection to reflect this change. Works that had a historical connection to the technological advances of the company, we relocated to the Cable & Wireless Museum in Porthcurno, Cornwall, while works that were no longer relevant to the collection we sold at auction.
We selected the more cutting edge works from the collection and curated an exhibition for Cable & Wireless’ new head office at the Point in Paddington Basin to foster a dynamic environment to stimulate critical thinking.
Glasgow Airport Collection
HS Projects commissioned ‘The Golden City’, 1996, an emblematic work by Steven Campbell that became a centrepiece of the Glasgow Airport Art Collection.
“Campbell’s vision for the airport mural is inspired by the view as you approach the city from the north. Cupped by dark woods, ploughed fields and flowers … an idealised and idyllic Glasgow, but one bound to please travellers.” Clare Henry, Glasgow Herald.
‘The Golden City’ celebrates the City of Glasgow, greeting passengers at the airport as they processed their way through International Departures.
“The painting is made up of three views of the City of Glasgow: the Clyde Estuary; the view from the countryside; and a view from the University Tower. The symbolism of the painting centres around the story of the emblem of Glasgow. It also takes account of St Mungo’s stories, trying to give history a vision. I’ve aimed to get the balance between nature and the city; the ‘Dear Green Place’, idea. It’s been tempting to add something dramatic, but it would have been the wrong thing to do for the location. It’s not the place to be dark and moody. No way. I want people to be uplifted; invigorated. I love Glasgow!” Steven Campbell.
‘The Golden City’ is now in the collection of the Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire, Scotland which will re-open in 2024 following an ambitious refurbishment.
BAA Heathrow Terminal 1 Collection
During 1995-1996, as part of the BAA Art Programme, we commissioned Giles Eldridge, Paul Langworth and Adrian Hemming for a series of site specific works, which formed an integral part of the Heathrow Terminal 1 Art Collection.
Giles Eldridge was commissioned to make a series of works on paper to greet passengers and staff as they made their way through Heathrow Terminal 1 Departures. Eldridge’s inspiration came from the BAA airport design manuals that set the company’s branding and distinctive identity. Eldridge worked with a selection of pages from the manual to produce a series of multi layered and multi media works on paper including drawing, photocopying, and watercolour.
Paul Langworth’s inspiration came from the travellers passing though the terminal, predominantly on their way to sunny holiday destinations. Langworth took his colour scheme and format from sun drenched tourist postcards, with a pallet of bright blues, yellow and white depicting scenes of families, airplanes arriving and departing and sunny skies; all pared down to his pixillated style.
Adrian Hemming ‘Big Bird 1 & 2, Touchdown 1 & 2’ large scale paintings on the theme of aviation, were inspired by the act of travelling and the acknowledgement of a particular place. ’My work as an artist is profoundly influenced by travel. To travel, is different from going on holiday. I don’t travel to find the perfect landscape. Notions of the sublime are no longer the holy grail of the artist. However the restless nature of travelling, the constant expectation of the next sensations all inform and help the artist make the work.’ Taking a hands on approach and exploring areas that the public were not allowed in, Hemming embarked on his creative journey. ‘With sketch book in hand, I was allowed to wander outside of the terminals alongside the runways, following of course strict safety obligations. The smell of aviation fuel, the noise, the sight of 450 tons of a 747 coming in to land as well as taking off, these images became profoundly etched in my mind.’
Hemming’s paintings are underpinned with a conspicuous sense of place and moment, invariably showcasing a brilliant response to light and texture but there is also a deeper, intensely serious awareness of painting’s potential relationship with poetry, literature, science and with the art of the past.