Alumno Developments are proposing a significant contribution to public art as part of their Leamington Spa project. Independent Arts Consultant & Curator Matthew Jarratt has been engaged to develop a public realm strategy that will create an interesting and high quality public realm adjacent to the Grand Union Canal in addition to celebrating the life and work of local ‘Leamington Lad’ Sir Terry Frost RA who was born in Leamington Spa in 1915.
Following a period of research and consultation the final proposal creates an intelligent, informative and creative series of spaces along the canal tow path to be enjoyed by both the residents of Grand Union but also encourage visitors to this section of the canal. As a link to the Eagle Foundry and manufacturing history of Leamington Spa, four cast iron floor plates will be evenly spaced along the tow path abutting the site, each framed with bench seating to encourage visitors and residents to actively utilise the space. Each floor plate will elegantly bear a Terry Frost design and will display text from poet Bob Devereux as a dedication to Terry Frost. Feature lighting from lighting mounted under the benches will bring colour, illumination and a different atmosphere to the artwork and canal side as well as increasing public safety at night.
In addition, a cast iron sculpture will be erected within the pocket park in Terry Frost signature shapes and will link the tow path to the park.
Alumno are delighted at the opportunity to exhibit Frost’s designs and are exploring ways to continue this theme in the interior reception. Sir Terry`s son Anthony, a respected artist in his own right has been instrumental in facilitating this collaboration. Anthony`s solo show can been seen at Beaux Arts London until 17 December