A unique new sculpture has been unveiled in Norwich, to mark the completion of a major new homes development project.
BA Fine Art graduate Hannah Lawrence, 21, won a competition launched by Charles Church Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts to design, develop and manufacture a lasting monument to enhance the flagship Fellowes Plain development in the city.
The artwork, entitled Spheres, has been officially unveiled at a special event following its installation.
Alastair Reid, head of quality control at Charles Church Anglia, said he was delighted with the new addition to the Charles Church site.
“The Fellowes Plain development was a careful refurbishment of the former Norwich and Norfolk hospital site to create beautifully-appointed, contemporary homes,” he said. “This unique piece of art celebrates the completion of the redevelopment of this landmark site and its strong connections with local people.
“We first came up with the idea for students to compete for the opportunity to create something special here at Fellowes Plain two years ago. And, after a lot of hard work from Hannah, she has certainly produced a monument of which we can all be proud.”
Hannah was overjoyed that her design was selected out of the shortlisted entries.
She said: “The commission has been a fantastic opportunity for me to develop my skills working with a professional business as well as working in a sympathetic manner to incorporate the local architecture and community.
“Spheres as a concept was developed with two key focuses. The first was to echo the previous use of the site as the Norwich and Norfolk hospital. I did this by using a representation of DNA wrapped around three spheres to emphasise the holistic nature of the work of the old hospital.
“The second was to use the spheres to highlight the significance of the hospital site to communities. The progressive and spiral like form of the metal element of the sculpture was inspired by Norwich’s architecture, in particular the cathedral.”
Sarah Steed, NUA Business Director and head of the University’s commercial creative venture ideasfactory@NUA, added: “Hannah has done a magnificent job with the sculpture. We wanted a piece of artwork that embodied the area and reflected the emotional connection that the site has for people in the city and Spheres fits the brief perfectly.
“It has been great working with Charles Church on this project and we are extremely proud of Hannah’s achievement. This commission has not only strengthened our relationship with Charles Church Homes, but has also offered a great opportunity to our talented students.”
Norwich University of the Arts is a dynamic, modern and creative community providing arts, design and media education from a unique campus at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter.
Students and staff have previously carried out a number of public art commissions through the ideasfactory@NUA, although this is the first time they have worked with the Persimmon group, which includes Charles Church Homes.
All of the properties at Fellowes Plain have now been sold. The latest Charles Church project is at nearby Brazen Gate