22/09/08 Gordon Young successful at Wenlock Basin

Plan Projects have been commissioned by the developers Londonewcastle and United House to put together the Public Art component to their development at Wenlock Basin and create a memorable landmark on the Grand Union Canal.

Plan Projects was commissioned by the developers Londonewcastle and United House to put together the Public Art component to their development at Wenlock Basin. The key purpose of the commission was to create a striking counterpoint with their new building, a residential block with a powerfully industrial mood designed by the signature architects Hawkins Brown, and create a memorable landmark on the Grand Union Canal.

Working with Plan Projects, the developers have nominated Gordon Young as their preferred candidate following a competition among three invited artists. The other artists short-listed were Julian Wild and Jeremy Willett. Young’s proposal for Wenlock Basin draws inspiration from the art work featured on long boats that can often be seen on the Grand Union Canal. The artist writes,

In our opinion the site merits canal art with a twist. The artwork would add a human touch and highlight the contrast with the formal modern architecture next to the folkiness of the canal barges. The subject matter would be the most traditional of canal art; that of barges, roses and castles. The work would take the shape of a four metre high wooden sculpture (barge pole) made out of oak. The castle caps the column and roses and is fabricated made from galvanised and painted steel. The work would echo the local barge community, the Narrow boat public house (the pub on the opposing bank from the development) and the metal sculpture on the opposite side of the canal.