Posts Categorized: Public Commissions

‘Kinetic Water Sculpture’, Roger Mann

We were invited by the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames to devise an artist brief to commission a kinetic sculpture for the main entrance, that would relate to the museum’s collection and also act as an interactive and engaging fund-raising device for visitors to the museum.

Following an extensive selection process and working in collaboration with the museum and architect David Chipperfield, we commissioned Roger Mann to design a site-specific kinetic sculpture that utilises sound, water and light. ‘Kinetic Water Sculpture’ captures the effect of a rowing eight on the river surface accompanied by the sounds of various waterfowl. The sculpture is animated by money entering a collection box. We managed the whole process from concept design to completion.

We commissioned ‘Kinetic Water Sculpture’ in 1998 on behalf of the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames.

‘Rowers’, Sean Henry

We were appointed by the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames to devise a project and artist brief for an iconic public art commission to commemorate the extraordinary sporting achievements of Sir Steve Redgave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

Sean Henry was chosen from a selected shortlist on the basis of his modelling and classical approach to bronze sculpture. He worked with both Redgrave and Pinsent over a number of sittings to establish the ideal stance and refine their posture. Henry wanted to capture the years of training that lay behind the glory of their achievements, as well as the glory itself.

Standing on the dock in timeless, crumpled training kit, each holding an oar and facing the river, ’Rowers’ represents both athletes as they prepare to take to the water, conveying a mix of studied ease, masking the pre-race tension, mixed with apprehension and expectation. The sculptures are larger than life size and were first sculpted in clay, before being cast in bronze and finally painted by hand.

We commissioned ‘Rowers’ in 2002 on behalf of the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames.

‘Benches’, Katie Walker

We devised the public art strategy and managed the commissions for a series of public seating for the re-developed shopping centres in Leatherhead and St Albans.

We commissioned Katie Walker, a leading Royal College of Art design graduate who responded to the use of both sites with functional sculptural pieces. Guided by her belief that: ‘Timber is our primary natural renewable resource and the most ecologically sound solution is to design with longevity in mind’, Walker designed a new series of oak and steel seating.

The seating is comfortable, robust, easy to clean and maintain. The curved forms subtly evoke the street patterns, while the use of oak reflects the timber framed buildings, some dating back to when St Albans was an important place of pilgrimage and part of England’s pilgrimage network.  Katie Walker’s public seating are contemporary classics which stand the test of time.

We commissioned ‘Benches’ in 2000 and 2002 on behalf of Allied London.