Public artwork set for Midhurst

A small group of members leading the AIM (Art in Midhurst) project have been discussing what form the art should take and are recommending that artists should be invited to submit a piece with a ‘change’ theme.

Reporting on their progress Steve Morley told fellow members of the Finance, Asset and Policy Committee on Monday: “We felt the project should be a legacy artwork that reflected both our town’s history and progress into the future.

“Behind our thinking was some towns and cities are thought of as Victorian or Roman, maybe Regency or Tudor or they are modern and contemporary.

“We are proud Midhurst has managed to absorb many of these different elements and to celebrate this we decided to ask the artists to consider ‘Change’ as the theme at the heart of their work.”

He added: “We want them to produce ideas based on their own creativity, practice and use of materials.

“We look forward to seeing their different interpretations of this commission and further we encourage them to consider long term maintenance as important issues.”

He said the first stage of the project work was complete and the AIM team was now ready to advertise for artists to come forward with their ideas.

“To do this we need to drawn down the funding which is currently held by the planning authority.”

The team will then select three artists to present an illustrated version of their concept. These will then be exhibited and members of the public invited to comment. The final choice will be made by a selection panel.

Steve said all concepts would be welcomed: “It could be in the form of a three dimensional statue, a two dimensional work or even a digital piece.

The committee is recommending full council to maintain and insure the artwork once it is completed.