We hear what inspired our arts consultant Matthew Jarratt to commission Patricia Volk`s work in the foyer at Hollis Wharf ….

“I first became aware of Patricia Volks vibrant ceramics when she was featured on  Channel 4 and I then met her through the Royal Society of Sculptors. The arts strategy I developed for Alumno aimed to commission a contemporary  artwork inspired by the areas history and we were keen to work with an artist with a studio in the Bath area so I approached Patricia to develop a proposal.

Patricia developed  some interesting research into the riverside areas surrounding the new Hollis Building and part of her installation is inspired by the earliest map of Weston Island from Thomas Thorpe’s map of ‘Five miles around Bath’, 1742.

Weston Island, also known as Dutch Island, holds significance in the industrial history of Twerton and Bath. The mill was pivotal in the woollen textile industry, contributing to both local employment and economic activity in this area and many workers were identified by their blue stained hands and faces from the textile processing.

Patricia’s ceramic sculpture could be interpreted as a ‘stitch’ or a meandering river but she has also titled the work  ‘The Dap’  which  is contemporary  term for a handshake or fist bump which can  convey trust, respect, balance and equality. Its creates a unique welcome to the new Hollis Building!”

Matthew Jarratt Independent Curator for Alumno

Great for Patricia to see the work in situ along with the scheme Development Director Ron Plunz