The new face of Wigan – art choice unites public and judges

Monday 22nd October 2007

A dramatic work of public art by an acclaimed English sculptor is set to go on display in Wigan next year.

Vertical Face by Rick Kirby, a 4.5m high sculpted stainless steel face, was the clear favourite of Wigan shoppers during consultation that took place in July.

Now a selection panel has endorsed the public's choice and it will go on display outside the entrance to the Grand Arcade next spring.

However one unusual stipulation of the design brief was that the winning artwork has to be moveable and able to be relocated to different parts of the borough.

The £78,000 funding will come from Modus Properties, the Grand Arcade’s developers, as part of an agreement made with Wigan Council to fund a major piece of public art.

Rick Kirby is an acclaimed English sculptor best known for more than 25 striking pieces of public art. His previous commissions can be seen at London’s South Bank, St Thomas’ Hospital, Glasgow, Hastings and many more towns and cities.

The competition attracted designs from artists across the UK, all with a strong track record in creating interesting pieces of art within public areas. Five shortlisted designs went on display in July and the public was invited to choose their favourite.

Mr Kirby said: "I was delighted when I heard that I had been chosen for this commission. I found the brief particularly interesting with its demand that the sculpture changes to a new site annually. I hope that in all its future venues the work will inspire, stimulate and become part of the borough's landscape."

Speaking of the work, he said: "The face is a play on the many portrait busts of the 'good and the glorious' that adorn the parks and centres of every town and city throughout Britain.

"The sculpted portrait is intended to represent not a single celebrity of the area, but all of the inhabitants of the area, the very people of Wigan. These are the people who make the place what is it today, and indeed have the power to determine what will be its future."

To the rear of the piece, the highly reflective surfaces of the stainless steel 'blocks', set at slightly different angles, will form a huge multi split screen which will mirror fragments of these people as well as the surrounding buildings and landscape.

The artist added: "The layered face and hi-tech blocks also represent the process of regeneration, building layer upon layer a more prosperous and positive future for the landscape, economy and ultimately, and most essentially the people."

Wigan Council's design champion, Cllr John O'Neill, said: "The public have spoken and the judges were happy to endorse their verdict as it meets the original design brief very well. It will become a high quality and visually attractive piece of public art for Wigan and other sites across the borough.

"Public art is sometimes controversial but it can also enhance the environment and make our buildings and urban spaces more distinctive. We hope that the fact residents were invited to have their say means this work will be popular with many people."

Drawings are currently being revised and construction is expected to start shortly. The piece will be ready for display next Spring.