In Town

Interpretation Panel - Stephen Towns

South View Cemetery, 2002

With support from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Basingstoke Heritage Society commissioned these panels which were designed, made and installed by local sculptor Stephen Towns. The artist took his inspiration from the existing architecture of the ruins. The etched steel information panels provide clear and helpful information about the ruined chapels, which date from the 13^th and 16^th centuries.

Sailing by Stars - Sarah Tombs

Railway Station, Alençon Way, 1990

Jointly commissioned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, British Rail and Winterthur Life UK Limited, Sarah Tombs’ Sailing by Stars represents a fusion of the modern and the traditional.  Cast from bronze, the sculpture was installed in 1990. The composition reflects the Basingstoke Canal, which once played an important role in the town.  Opened in 1794, the canal was 37 miles long and regularly transported agricultural goods and raw materials, much of which were used to build the Basingstoke to London railway line.  Neglected for many years, the canal was restored during the 1990s and 32 miles are now open to the public. 

L'Arc - David A. Annand

Alençon Link, 1999

David Annand’s striking work, L’ Arc, stands in Station Link.  The piece consists of two figures, one on either side of the road, with each holding a curved pole.  If these were extended a circle would be formed, thereby creating a gateway.  The artist was inspired by Basingstoke’s close relationship with its European twin towns and was keen to create an accessible, realistic and slightly incongruous composition.  L’ Arc was cast from bronze and stainless steel and was unveiled in 1999.

Rhythm, Strength and Movement – Robert Erskine

Sun Life of Canada, Basing View, 1987

Award-winning sculptor, Robert Erskine, designed the abstract work that stands in Basing View.   The piece was commissioned by Sun Life of Canada for the approach to their Head Office in Basingstoke.

The Anvil – Martin Richman, Peter Freeman, Andrew Smith, Harriet Wallace-Jones

Churchill Way, 1994

Designed by London-based architects Renton, Howard, Wood, Levin Partnership, The Anvil was completed in 1994.  In response to the Borough Council’s Percent for Art scheme, a selection of site-specific artwork was incorporated into the final design.

Lighting is integral to the architecture, and was used to complement the building both internally and externally.   Hampshire artist Martin Richman produced the light sculpture Le Shona Habo, which makes reference to a mythical time and place of contentment.  Located in the foyer, the piece is divided into two parts and slowly changes colour.  The external neon sculptures are by renowned artist Peter Freeman. 

The Proscenium Arch by Andrew Smith is located at the front of the concert hall.  The work was manufactured from natural copper sheet metal plate, which was appliquéd on to the stage curtains and the surrounding area.

At the rear of the main auditorium is a set of wool curtains by Harriet Wallace-Jones. These are three metres high and twenty metres wide, and incorporate a blue and orange geometric design that harmonises with the interior of the hall.

Various artworks - Tracey Heyes, Laszlo Gregor, Chris Knight, Richard Perry

Festival Place - 2002

The external areas of Festival Place, Basingstoke’s vibrant shopping and leisure centre, are packed full of artwork. Successful UK artists have designed the art especially for Basingstoke, using local themes for inspiration. The River Loddon’s course runs under the site and was the inspiration for the theme which sees local flora, the Loddon Lily, incorporated into the artwork. The various pieces range from service yard gates to ceramic water features and innovative light effects. 

Artist Tracey Heyes has created a selection of ceramic tiles and imaginative seating.  Neon expert, Laszlo Gregor, has produced a River of Light. Other works include a series of service doors designed by renowned silversmith and jeweller Chris Knight, and a number of water columns by Richard Perry. The specialist arts company, Project Arts Consultancy, was employed from the beginning of the construction work to ensure that the artwork complements the architecture and is integral to the centre.

Running Through the Blue - Bettina Furnee and Neil Rollinson

Poppy – Tom Merrifield

Churchill Way, 1996

Designed by the internationally acclaimed sculptor of bronze, Tom Merrifield, this figure of a ballet dancer was purchased by the Borough Council.  Drawing on his training as a classical ballet dancer, and his technical knowledge of dance, the artist has captured the grace and poise of his subject.  The statue was cast at the Morris Singer Foundry in Basingstoke and is situated outside The Anvil.

Carved Panels – Richard Kindersley

Cross Street, 1992

Located in Cross Street are five panels by modern stonemason Richard Kindersley.  The panels were installed in 1992 and each adopts a specific theme.  Particular reference is made to Europe and Basingstoke’s European connections, including its twin towns.  One of the panels contains a do-it-yourself sundial, with the viewer acting as the sundial’s “gnomon” and casting a shadow.  Each of the panels was hand carved out of red Lazonby sandstone from Cumbria and buff coloured sandstone from Huddersfield.

Blue Coat Boy

Cross Street, 1994

A small statue of a boy also stands in Cross Street.  This was commissioned by the Basingstoke Heritage Society, with a grant from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.  The statue commemorates the Blue Coat School that stood on the site until 1879.  The figure was cast at Basingstoke’s Phoenix Arts Foundry from a mould of the original statue, which can be found at the Blue Coat School in Reading.  The work was unveiled in September 1994.

The Church Stone – Michael Pegler

Wote Street, 1994

The silver grey granite sculpture in Wote Street is The Church Stone by Michael Pegler.  Almost three metres in height, and weighing seven tonnes, it took two years to hand carve.  The sculpture was produced specifically for the site to commemorate the Emmanuel Church, which stood nearby until 1969.  The artist was inspired by the town’s Roman history and was keen to evoke a sense of introspection and contemplation through his work.

Stained Glass Canopy and Bollards – Sasha Ward and Alan Dawson

The Haymarket, Wote Street, 1994

The Haymarket was extensively refurbished in 1993.  As part of the council’s Percent for Art policy the artists Sasha Ward and Alan Dawson were commissioned to create a distinctive new canopy for the entrance area.  The structure of the canopy complements the building.  The stained glass design was inspired by the decorative mouldings of fruit, which can be seen on the front of the theatre.  A set of complementary bollards was also created and these stand outside the main entrance.

Father and Child – Diana Thomson

Innovation Court, New Street, 1981

This life size bronze sculpture Father and Child shows a man cradling an infant.  Produced by the accomplished sculptor, Diana Thomson, it was commissioned by Crowngap Ltd and Royal Insurance Group Limited to commemorate the 1981 European Year of the Family. The work is set within a courtyard and bears the inscription ‘Dedicated to a peaceful future for the World’. The plaster of this piece was exhibited in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 1982.

The Family – Mike Smith

United Reformed Church, London Street, 1993

Mike Smith’s bronze statue, The Family, is located near the United Reformed Church on London Street.  Installed in 1993, it is a simple, abstract representation of the nuclear family unit, drawing on the family values of the Church.  The sculpture stands on a granite block and was carefully sited to ensure that wedding cars and hearses can turn around it.

Triumphal Gateway – Peter Parkinson and Richard Quinnell

London Street, 1992

Designed by Hampshire artist Peter Parkinson, and made by world-renowned blacksmith Richard Quinnell, The Triumphal Gates herald the entrance to the town centre.  Standing 8.5 metres high, and 8.5 metres wide, the gates were forged from steel, and later painted with black graphite.  The artist drew on the shape and scale of the surrounding buildings to create a harmonious, yet eye-catching structure. The gates contain sixteen decorative panels, which depict images of local significance, both historical and modern.  The panels were cast at Basingstoke’s Morris Singer Foundry. 

Glasswork - Martin Donlin

The Orchard, White Hart Lane - 2002

Located on the corner of White Hart Lane, overlooking the War Memorial Park, is The Orchard. This pavilion-style building was custom built to house the various voluntary organisations in the Basingstoke area. The front of the building contains a wall of coloured glass, which was designed by leading glassmaker Martin Donlin.

War Memorial Bronze – L F Roslyn

Civic Campus, London Road, 1923

Erected in 1923 this memorial is set on a plinth of Portland stone.  On the front is an emblematic stone cross.  Above this is a bronze shield bearing the arms of the borough.  The remaining three panels contain bronze tablets listing the names of those who died in both World Wars.  The whole memorial is topped by an angel, with wings outstretched.

Six Stone Plaques – Alec Peever

War Memorial Park, 1995

Installed in 1995, these sandstone wedges were produced by Oxfordshire-based stonecutter, Alec Peever.  Set into the walkways of War Memorial Park, each is inscribed with a phrase from a poem.  The artist was inspired by the 17th Century passion for viewing the landscape through a hand-held looking glass, known as a Claude Glass.  This term originated with the artist Claude Lorraine, who would simplify the colours and tones of a scene by projecting the landscape’s image onto a mirror.

Head of Christ – Dame Elisabeth Frink

All Saints Church, Victoria Street, 1986

Sculpted by distinguished artist, Elisabeth Frink, this bronze head is intended to reflect Christ.  The figure is shown with eyes closed.  The artist had a particular interest in the male head and frequently modelled this form.  She was fascinated by the combination of strength and vulnerability inherent in the male.  The work is set on the West Wall of the Church, overlooking the font.

Stained Glass Windows – Cecil Collins and Patrick Reyntiens

All Saints Church, Victoria Street, 1985,1988

The Church also has three stained glass windows, which were designed by Cecil Collins and produced by Patrick Reyntiens.  The two Angel windows were made for the West Wall as the result of a bequest in 1985.  The Mystery of the Holy Spirit was commissioned for the West Window in 1988. 

Seat – Emma Lush and Paul Jobst

Southern Road/Jubilee Road, 1995

Located on the corner of Southern Road and Jubilee Road, this seat was produced by Hampshire artists Emma Lush and Paul Jobst in 1995.  The design bridges the gap between the modern and the traditional and was inspired by local architecture.  The seat was made from treated steel and is inlaid with ceramic panels, which depict important historical buildings in Basingstoke.