Following a public call out for design ideas at the end of last year, the names of the successful artists chosen to decorate the sculptures that will form Knowsley’s Owl & Pussy-Cat trail this summer, have been announced.
More than 250 designs were submitted by artists from across the UK and now the ‘best’ ideas have been chosen. Artists will now be busily decorating their sculptures ready for the trail to begin in June.
A Knowsley Council spokesperson commented:
“We had a phenomenal response to our call out for ideas and the submissions we received were wonderfully creative and inspiring. It was great to see so many local artists put forward their ideas, but it was also really good to spot other creatives from across the UK wanting to get involved in the project too. We had a really difficult job selecting the final designs and had to shortlist over two rounds.
“I think the winning designs all offer something completely unique with many taking inspiration from local features, connections or the history of the Borough. As you might expect there is a Shakespeare inspired design in there but lots of others too. There is a design celebrating our connection to the Beatles, another commemorating the service of Blackie the Warhorse buried in Halewood and another taking inspiration from Prescot’s watch making past. I am sure that everyone will have their own favourite when they see them, and I can’t wait for people to be able to view the finished sculptures.”
The Owl & The Pussy-Cat trail will be a key part of Knowsley’s celebrations as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. The thirty two, 2-metre-high sculptures will be displayed across the borough in towns and villages, parks and open spaces throughout the summer this year.
Alongside the large sculptures, there will also be a further 50 smaller owls and pussycats on display which have been decorated by Knowsley schools.
The trail, which individuals and families will be able to follow and track their progress on a downloadable app, commemorates the fact that the world famous poem The Owl & The Pussy-Cat was actually written in Knowsley by Edward Lear.
In the coming months more information about the artists, their designs and inspirations will be shared to help build excitement ahead of the sculptures starting to appear in June. Location details will also be shared nearer the time.
In addition to the artists commissioned to work on their own designs a number have been selected to work with community groups to decorate some of the sculptures. Dates and arrangements for workshops or public sessions will be shared in due course.
Follow @cultureknowsley on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or visit www.cultureknowsley.co.uk for more information.
The successful artists selected are:
Becky Atherton
Amy Bourbon
Laura Kate Draws
Rachel and Philippa Corcutt
Lois Cordelia
Andrea Danisman
Caroline Daly
Simon Daly
Julie Dodd
Chris Edwards
Lynn Hollingsworth
Mollie Garner
Colin Gibson
Cherie Grist
Sue Guthrie
Gary McGillivray
Nicola McGovern
Julia Midgley
Judy Muselle
Nicki McCubbing
Patricia McDonald
Donna Newman
Emily Parr
Amanda Quellin
Steve Randall
Sarah Jane Richards
Debbie Ryan
Andy Weston
BOROUGH OF CULTURE
The Borough of Culture title was introduced by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. It is awarded annually on a rotational basis to one of the six local authorities that make up the Liverpool City Region.
The Borough of Culture is part of the 1% for Culture initiative which commits at least 1% of the Liverpool City Region’s annual gain share (£300k) to cultural projects/activities. Established as an annual award rotating around the boroughs, the Borough of Culture helps to celebrate, amplify and strengthen the existing cultural offer, develop new ideas and initiatives that will underpin future development and legacy.
Liverpool City Region is the first Combined Authority to have control over culture in its devolution deal, utilising many of the region’s existing assets and talent to stimulate cultural and creative opportunities.
The Borough of Culture was first launched in St Helens in 2018, followed by Wirral 2019, Sefton 2020, Halton in 2021 and is currently held by Knowsley for 2022. The programme rotation will recommence in 2023 back in St Helens.