PUBLIC ART
There is no shortage of creativity in Wokingham and we continue to be wowed and amazed by the incredible work being produced within the Borough. Here are just some of our favourite pieces.*
*pictures courtesy of Flight Logistics ShipArtTM
Montague Park: New Beginnings
Fabricated in galvanised steel, this mammoth butterfly represents new growth in Wokingham and celebrates the growing community at the David Wilson Homes development at Montague Park.
The Water Babies
Charles Kingsley’s beloved children’s story The Water Babies was immortalised in bronze by artist Lydia Karpinska and became Wokingham’s debut piece of public art when installed in 1999.
Kingsley was the vicar of nearby Eversley in the 1860s, and based his main character of Tom on a real-life local boy. James ‘Sooty’ Seaward was born in the Wokingham workhouse on Denmark Street. He became a chimneysweep and rose to become Alderman. You can find his blue plaque at his former home at 31 Rose Street.
The sign next to this sculpture says, “Find the representation of a chimney in this sculpture and you might just see Tom smiling back at you”.
Mosaic Trail: Wokingham town centre
There are ten beautifully-cast mosaic roundels created by artist Rosalind Wates forming an art trail around Wokingham town centre.
Each one celebrates a different aspect of Wokingham’s history and tradition. A downloadable app is available with an accompanying narrative.
Chiselled Horses: Arborfield Green
This magnificent group of horses was created by Amy Goodman to commemorate Aborfield’s history as the home of the Remount Depot and Horse Infirmary of REME during WW1 and WW2.
The sculptures pay tribute to the fallen horses that passed through Arborfield during this time. They can be seen on the new housing development at Arborfield Green. The sunlight makes their chestnut colour glow against the green leafy background.
Slug Bench:
Peach Place,
Wokingham centre
This custom-made bench was designed and created from sustainably sourced wood by Woodscape Street Furniture.
Nestled in the centre of the new Peach Place, it has become a focal point of the town, loved by climbing children and coffee-drinking adults alike.
Woodscape have also created items for the Olympic Park and Brighton Pavilion.
Isabel Clifton Legacy Piece: Elms Field
Designed by local artist, Jane Bonney, and fabricated by Thrussells, this piece is installed at Elms Field and incorporates the White-Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, the Song Thrush and the English Elm — all species designated ‘at risk’ by the commercial development of the area.
Named after and inspired by the good deeds of a local Ms Elliston Clifton to preserve her town, the sculpture signifies concerns with conservation while also celebrating regeneration of the area.
Catsy,
various locations
In early 2021 several little black cats started appearing on surfaces around Wokingham. These little spray-painted stencils with stick on eyes are the work of street artist Catsy and can now be found hiding in plain sight at numerous locations across the borough.
What started as a project to entertain his Godchildren has now become famous, with people flocking to report sightings on his Facebook page.
The St Crispins murals
Three murals hidden beneath layers of paint for decades were brought back to life by a team of art restorers as part of St. Crispin’s and Wokingham town’s heritage.
The two paintings are part of a trio of murals depicting the seasons which were first created in the 1950s at the time St. Crispin’s was built. However, they were painted over in the 1960s & 70s before being discovered and restored in the 2010s.
Mosaic Fish: The Methodist Church Wokingham
The Methodist Church commissioned artist, Rosalind Wates, to mosaic fish onto metal bases made by Thrussells in 2019. The installation was made to celebrate 200 years of the Methodist church in Wokingham and features the icon of fish, used as the symbol of practising Christians throughout history.
With a shoal of fish wrapping the building, the artist researched fish living in the Sea of Galilee and found the colourful St. Peter fish that could be inspiration for the mosaic fish, and a carp for the contrasting metal fish.
Loddon Mead graffiti zone
The Loddon Mead graffiti zone is an innovative project involving young local artists. The cathedral-like setting underneath the A329 gives this unusual art space a unique atmosphere. Find out more here.
Loddon Mead is well known especially amongst street artists, with many travelling from across the country to make their mark on this legendary canvas.
Wooden Creatures: Elms Field
These amazing wooden creatures in Elms Field, Wokingham, were made by woodcarver Stephen Radford, who used some of the trees felled during the Elms Field redevelopment to repurpose them into nature-themed benches for the play area and surrounding areas.
Now a chrysalis, stag beetle, caterpillar and bee are loved by all, acting as climbing frame and seating for all to enjoy.
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