Who doesn’t love an anti-establishment radical artist?
Local artist Clare Packham
Carol Hayton reports on local artist support for the Shelley Memorial Project
If you wander down West Street in the next few weeks, be sure to pop into the newest pop-up at No 20. You won't recognise the former Thomas Cook office now that the space has been transformed into an art studio by local artist, Clare Packham.
It's full of really interesting artistic concepts, including a Shelley Fountain mural.
We know from feedback that the Fountain was one of those Marmite objects that people either loved or hated.
Clare has a really interesting perspective, which is more about what the fountain represented rather than what it physically looked like.
I'm a local theatre director and performance artist, and I was hugely disappointed when the fountain was torn down, as I believe it was a big statement about our community's attitude to art. If you tear down the Shelley Fountain, what else will you tear down? You can imagine my horror at the government cutting 50% of arts education funding (obviously I've sent several emails to Jeremy Quinn...)
I would love to support the commission of a new artwork for Shelley, as who doesn't love an anti-establishment radical artist? I'd be very happy to read some poetry for the Shelleython, and help promote it in any way I can.
More info about my project can be found here:
and @pinchytheatre @claw.slackham @hyphastudios on Instagram'
So why not go and take a look, find out about Clare's view on the fountain, explore other aspects of her exhibition and support our young local talent. The pop up is only there until 3rd June so don't miss it!