New public sculpture in Weymouth to reflect ideas from community

Andy Kirkby says he doesn’t want to thrust an idea on to the town but wants it to grow following public consultation.

The work chosen to sit on Mercery Road within the Weymouth Gateway site where new developments are springing up will almost certainly include themes from popular culture and historical references.

Andy, from Moreton, was chosen to create the piece by a panel of representatives from New Look – which is funding the artwork – Sainsbury’s and the borough council.

It followed proposals from 38 UK and international artists and detailed presentations from a shortlist of five.

Andy said he is looking forward to meeting local people at a public meeting in January, where he hopes to gather important local key themes and aspirations for the design from the community.

Schoolchildren will be involved in model-making and it is hoped a link can be established with Weymouth College students.

A blog will also be set up so people can put forward their suggestions and feedback.

More information about an exhibition, meetings and further engagement will be available in the New Year.

Andy, 51, is renowned for combining the classical and contemporary in his work and some of his latest examples can be seen in the Sea Road Public Art Trail in Boscombe, Bournemouth.

He was the creator of the sculpture outside Weymouth railway station commissioned by British Rail in 1988.

Andy said: “I think people are suspicious of modern art, especially when it’s in the public realm. I’m not a crusader but I like public consultation. It’s important that people feed into this project.”

He added the work would be ‘site specific’, could feature something from local history and will involve three or four pieces of sculpture.

The artist’s brief says the commission must make a positive, innovative and integrated contribution to the regeneration of the area which will attract both residents and visitors.

Visit weymouthandportlandpartnership.org