I’m Excited to Share My Latest Commission at Edgbaston Reservoir
I’m excited to share my latest commission at Edgbaston reservoir and a new process with you! I was commissioned by Legacy West Midlands to create two public artworks as part of a public arts trail, ‘Roundhouse to Chance Glass Works Arts Trail’ along and around the canals of Birmingham. This one is slightly off route, being sited at Edgbaston reservoir.
The commission, ‘If You Can Sail Here You Can Sail Anywhere’, celebrates the history of the Midland Sailing Club and the unique environment in which it sits. Edgbaston reservoir has been a popular and much-loved destination for Brummies and those further afield since 1827 and was built by Thomas Telford as a top up for the Birmingham canal system. The sailing club has existed since 1894. I had the pleasure of researching the ‘Rezza’ on a previous commissioned project with Roundhouse Birmingham, ‘Community Routes’ during lockdown, so it was wonderful to be back developing ideas further for this new project!
My challenge was to express this wealth of heritage through the commission and the uniqueness of this place. Only a mile from Birmingham City Centre, which has formed an ever-changing backdrop through the years, it is also a nature reserve and home to many residents who naturally love this rare environment.
Working in consultation with club members, we decided the artwork would have to be panoramic, reflecting the ‘Big Skies’ and ever-changing environment throughout the seasons. We combined historical and contemporary photography, celebrating local characters and through archival research, people enjoying the ‘Rezza’ from over 100 years ago. We had of course, to include the vast range of water sports that have been enjoyed on the reservoir, from sailing and rowing, to paddle boarding and wind surfing, not to mention the busyness of dog walkers and joggers, who use the space daily! I combined all this imagery to portray how valuable and much loved this place has been for so long, tracing the pleasure it has given people through time.
Having a background in traditional mosaic and learning some digital skills over recent years, I wanted to push the boundaries of my practice and approach the commission in a new way. Gathering the contemporary and heritage imagery created and researched, I began by collaging the imagery to full scale (1m by 3m) and had it professionally scanned. For me there’s something potentially a bit harsh about digital work, so wanted it to have a handmade feel, so this is the approach I took to begin. I then split the imagery into sections, breaking it down into a kind of jigsaw. I’m a member of STEAMhouse ‘CREATE’ programme and was grateful for the support from technician, Chris Hayes, to convert these files to CAD, so they could be read for the water jet cutting of the porcelain tiles. Once the tiles were cut to shape, they were sent to Heraldic Potteries in Stoke on Trent, for print and fire. I met with Oliver Budd of Budd Mosaics too, who kindly shared a new method of installation which I’ve loved, so a big shout out to him too!
STEAMhouse excelled themselves again in support of the project and their support of me as a member, by allowing me to assemble the artwork at their fantastic new premises at Millenium Point. It was a luxury to have such a good working space for this stage of the install! I do recommend you book in for a visit to see what it could offer you, they not only support artists and designers on the CREATE programme, but support prototyping and business in all areas …
Below are some images of the commission for you to see, but it’s always worth a visit to see it in real life and enjoy a walk round the wonderful rezza!
A big thanks to funders, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Arts Council England, Historic England, Birmingham City Council and Saintbury Trust. And for archival imagery from Midland Sailing Club and Wolfson Centre, Library of Birmingham, for their permission to use heritage imagery.
