MONUMENTAL?
Installed as part of FRED 2007 the Annual Art Invasion of Cumbria 28th September to 14th October
Statue of James Steel, English Street, Carlisle
( in pedestrianised area, outside Marks & Spencers Store opposite the corner of English Street and Bank Street).
What is the purpose of a civic monument.? How do we see it, how do we relate to the space it occupies, how do we look at it?
A civic statue undergoes a transformation of colour, shape and texture. Does it become more or less of a monument?
The stone statue of James Steel ( a former mayor of Carlisle) is covered in a
knitted ‘cosy’, turning the plain stone statue in to a brightly coloured
emblem.
ARTIST’S
STATEMENT
I have a
fascination with the spaces that we do not see. In particular
public spaces and public statues that we pass in our everyday lives but
whose presence we ignore. My
work interferes with these neglected spaces and makes them more visible. This
alters our perception of the object in the space and the space it occupies.
Use of
textiles (knitting and twined threads) brings
a feminist element to public spaces that are masculine in conception, design and
construction. Knitting softens the hard masculine lines and brings the viewer to
question the object hidden below.
The use of colour contradicts our idea of the ‘normal’ for public memorial sculpture.
THANKS TO:
Rich Webster (FRED mentor), Mick North ( Arts Officer Carlisle City Council), Fred Walker ( Town Centre Warden, Carlisle City Council ), Peter Messenger (Conservation Officer, Carlisle City Council ),
For interview and video go to No Diamonds were Involved.
http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/film/film-detail.jsp?id=54205
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Knitted in two parts. stitched together with ornamental
crocheted edging. Pompom on top. Waterproofed
Multistranded yarn , mainly carpet yarns.