Public art for Parchment Street
Businesses and residents in one of Winchester’s speciality shopping streets have selected an artist to produce another eye-catching sculpture for the city.
Thanks to funding from Winchester City Council, Parchment Street – which runs from the High Street to North Walls - is soon to become host to a new artwork by sculptor Marzia Colonna.
For the street Marzia has suggested a figure such as a kite flyer - a graceful and strong symbol of good luck whose ‘paper’ kite would attract attention and interest from the thousands of pedestrians and car drivers who use the High Street and St George’s Street each day.
The initiative in Parchment Street is part of a package of measures designed to promote specialist retailers in the city’s side streets, backed by Leader of Winchester City Council Cllr George Beckett.
Cllr Beckett said: “Winchester is renowned for its public art, from the man on the horse at the top of the High Street to hidden treasures like Sound II in the crypt of the cathedral. This new piece will provide a legacy to Winchester’s Year of Sculpture which has brought exhibitions of work by top artists to the city throughout 2007. We are looking forward to working with Marzia to add new visual interest to Parchment Street.”
Marzia was selected following a public exhibition by three short-listed artists in the street’s new Business Centre. There were also extensive consultations with residents and shoppers, as well as with experts in arts, conservation, highways and access. Out of the three proposals put forward by the artists, the project group decided that Marzia’s idea and style of working have that ‘special something’ that the charming city centre street deserves.
The artwork should be completed and installed by spring 2008. The full project – including installation - has a budget of £15,000.
Notes
The attached image comes from Marzia’s preliminary exhibition model. The final work will be an archway incorporating a figure such as the kite flyer.
For more information contact Marilyn Michalowicz, Arts Development Officer, Winchester City Council on mmichalowicz@winchester.gov.uk or phone (01962) 848 175.
Marzia Colonna - Born in Pisa, Marzia was accepted into art school at the age of twelve. This was followed by the Academia di Belle Arti in Florence, and then a move to England with her husband in 1970. Work initially concentrated on drawing and sculpture.
Her first solo exhibition in London was held at the Campbell and Franks Gallery in 1979. Subsequently her work developed into an exploration of the body through colour and collage. Study of the human form continued with patterns merging as the body becomes landscape. Since 1985 Marzia Colonna has lived and worked in West Dorset. Her work can be found in many collections, both in Europe, the United States and Australasia.