The last
WORD
Using public art to create a sense of place
Architectural glass artist Derek Hunt of Limelight Studios ex- plains how art can be used to enhance our public spaces
Derek Hunt (BA FMGP ACR)
has been a practising stained glass artist for over 24 years and is also an accredited stained glass conservator. A graduate of Edinburgh Art College, Derek set up Limelight Studios in 1985. He is a Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters. Derek regularly works with English Her- itage, the Council for the Care of Churches and the Churches Conservation Trust. His commissioned designs can be found in churches, theatres, schools, public libraries, shopping centres and private build- ings across the UK.
F
rom cave paintings, through to church windows and tag graffiti, art has been used
throughout the ages to help define the places where people meet and create a sense of place. Whilst the use of my medium, stained glass, is linked in most people’s minds to religious spaces and places, stained glass is also an art form that is increas- ingly being used to great effect across a range of public buildings from schools to hospitals and shopping centres. As an architectural glass artist,
it’s not surprising that I believe in the importance of good art in our public spaces. However it's not just my conviction; the significant role that art can play in public places is increasingly recognised by organisations in the public sec- tor. For example, the Enhancing the Healing Environment pro- gramme (EHE) launched by the King’s Fund found that bringing art into the clinical environment has had a range of benefits for both staff and patients, promot- ing a greater sense of ownership, and reducing incidents of patient
aggression in addition to creating a more therapeutic environment.
The pros and cons
One of the criticisms that is frequently levelled at public organ- isations when they commission works of art for the benefit of the community is cost. However, it should be remembered that much of the funding for art in pub- lic buildings comes from charitable institutions or from the private sec- tor, rather than the public purse. So, whilst some of the cost
concerns about placing art in public places are misplaced, the arguments for its inclusion are compelling. Good art can trans- form the physical environment and help to develop a sense of ownership and community. It also appears to be a factor in the reduction of crime, particularly vandalism and anti social behav- iour and has a positive impact on the local economy, bringing increased investment and tourism.
A sense of place
Stained glass can be employed to great effect within public spaces, using light and colour to bring something unique to the environ- ment in which it is placed. When commissioned to design an instal-
By Derek Hunt
lation for a public building, an important consideration for me is that the design should be sympa- thetic to that environment - and inspiration can come from many sources. For example, a recently completed commission in St Dun- stan’s Catholic Church in Surrey combined the imagery of nature - leaves, flowing water, the silhou- ette of trees with the visual images conjured up by excerpts from Mark’s Gospel to create an installa- tion that has relevance and meaning for the congregation. However, if art in public spaces
is to really make a difference, it needs to be of the highest quality and carefully thought out. Insert- ing a window, a sculpture or a mural without considering how it can enhance the area into which it is placed is essentially a waste of time and money. That's why it is so important to spend time seeking out the very best artists to work with - artists who have a proven track record of delivering stunning work of the highest cali- bre. As the use of art in public buildings extends to places such as schools, libraries, offices and hospitals, so public art commis- sions have the potential to be seen by a wider audience and to influ- ence and transform our modern spaces into inspirational places. ■
Architects Choice 33
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