ARTS TRAIL OPENS IN HANDSWORTH PARK

The Handsworth Park Arts Trail opened on Friday 6 October 2017 with the unveiling of two new pieces on the theme of Journeys.

The SS Journey, by Luke Perry, is inspired by the migrations to Handsworth made by people from around the world from the 1940s onward.

The piece is cast in bronze and the figure at the bow of the ship is based on famous local community personality, Hector ‘Mr Handsworth’ Pinkney OBE.

Luke Perry is a sculptor, working primarily in metal, and is a Director of Industrial Heritage Stronghold, a company based in the Black Country.

The Arts Trail was formally opened by artists Pauline Bailey and Luke Perry, Mr Handsworth himself, photographer Vanley Burke, Councillors Quinnen and Zaffar, and blessed by Father Bob Stephen and Pastor Desmond Janadoo.

The crowd came in their numbers to witness the unveiling of the artworks, accompanied by Spicy Fingers’ drum.

Luke Perry, Hector Pinkney and Pauline Bailey.

The Pyramid Tower from Veranda Stories, is a galvanized steel tower designed by Birmingham based visual artist Pauline Bailey, in collaboration with the Women’s Sewing Group at Saathi House (partially in celebration of the year of South Asian Arts) who co-designed the mandala patterns.

Elders from Panel Croft Extra Care Village and Pearl’s Memory Café Dementia Group at Soho House also participated in workshop activities.

All three groups shared their stories during the workshop sessions which were designed to address health and wellbeing through the use of storytelling techniques.

Pauline Bailey and family, Hector Pinkney and Father Bob Stephen.

The sculptures are the first two of six new pieces of public art commissioned for Handsworth Park over the course of three years, and there will be fixed lectern style Interpretation Boards next to the two new pieces of art.

In addition, there will be a series of smaller, temporary arts pieces which will be mounted on the Plinth (by Scylla Magda and friends) situated by the Boathouse Café. Commissioned artists will be working with local schools and community groups in the design of the artworks, and each year’s pieces will be developed following an annual open commission, and chosen by a selection panel.

See recent articles published in Inside Handsworth: Handsworth Park, beautiful all year round – Handsworth Park Arts Trail – Friends of Handsworth Park – Community garden opens.

Apologies for being absent: Jan Kimber who was recovering from pneumonia, and the Sun Bear who was fundraising for the Children’s Hospital.

Handsworth Creative’s website will have detailed information about the Arts Trail, up-to-date news as the Arts Trail evolves, and announcements about next year’s commissioning process and theme.
See: http://www.handsworthcreative.com/hpat, and Handsworth Park Arts Trail on Facebook.

Email: handsworth.park.arts.trail@hotmail.com

While visiting the park, why not look around for more artwork?