HOUSE BUILDER ANNOUNCES 17TH COMMISSION IN ITS PUBLIC ART PROGRAMME

A Norfolk house builder has announced the latest piece in its ongoing public art programme – the 17th such piece of artwork it has commissioned since the programme began.

Abel Homes has commissioned North Elmham artist blacksmith Toby Winterbourn to create a 3.6 metre (12 feet) high agricultural sculpture for its Cygnet Rise site in Swaffham.

The towering galvanised steel artwork will feature barley, wheat maize and cow parsley, evoking the site’s arable past.  It will be installed on a piece of public open space in the centre of the development, where Abel Homes is building 160 new energy-efficient homes.

The commission is the latest in the firm’s public art programme, which was launched in 2008 when it committed to commissioning a new piece of public art from a local artist at every site where it builds new homes.  So far 16 such artworks have been unveiled.

Mr Winterbourn has been an artist blacksmith since 2009.  He has completed a number of high-profile public commissions, including at Felbrigg Hall, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Pensthorpe.

Maggie Abel of Abel Homes, who co-ordinates the firm’s public art programme, said, “We are delighted to be working with Toby for the first time, creating a truly stunning sculpture which will act as a focal point for the new community we are creating at Cygnet Rise.

“Our aim for these artworks is that they will form the hub of these new communities, starting to bind the threads together through sparking conversations and giving a sense of shared ownership – as well as a focal point to stop and chat.”

The artwork at Cygnet Rise in Swaffham will be unveiled at a public ceremony in September.  More details about Abel Homes’ Cygnet Rise development at www.abelhomes.co.uk/developments/cygnet-rise-swaffham.