Public Artwork Comissioned to Showcase ‘Coming Together of Arts and Markets’ in Wrexham

A huge public artwork to showcase the ‘coming together of the arts and markets’ in Wrexham has been commissioned.

Artist Katie Cuddon beat off a strong field of applications from creatives across the country to get the commission, including a consultation event with local traders and interview process.

Katie will now be commissioned to produce a monumental artwork in the £4.5 million Oriel Wrecsam People’s Market development.

The work will feature as part of the inaugural Wal Pawb (‘everybody’s wall’), which will show the coming together of the arts and markets within the new development.

Once complete the final artwork will span two billboards and the largest will be nine metres long. Each of the two billboards will feature three images on rotation.

Over the coming six months Katie will work with a variety of groups and members of the public to gather inspiration for the work. Katie’s work for Wal Pawb will be unveiled as part of the opening of the new arts, markets and cultural centre in spring 2018.

The artwork will be in place for 12 months before a new commission takes its place.

Katie said: “I’m thrilled to be selected to create a series of artworks for the Wal Pawb.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to create work for a very innovative and unusual context: the coming together of art gallery and market place.

“I’m looking forward to working with traders and users of the market and the rich visual imagery a market presents.

“I want the final works to contain all the weird and wonderful images, energy, sociability and life of a market so it reflects the environment it’s in, whilst also being a world within itself.”

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “Congratulations to Katie who impressed those involved in the selection process who thought Katie’s level of experience shone through.

“I look forward to seeing her creations, which will be a prominent part of our new arts and markets facility”

Last week saw the launch of the public vote to decide the name of the new arts and market development – with Tŷ Pawb, Cartref and Oriel M unveiled as the shortlist of names for Wrexham’s £4.5 million arts and market facility.

You can cast your vote for your favourite name via the following outlets:

– Cafe in the Corner in the South Arcade
– Oriel Wrecsam on Chester Street
– Wrexham County Borough Museum
– Wrexham Library, the Tourist Information Centre
– Contact Wrexham,
– Plas Pentwyn, Brynteg, Acton, Gwersyllt and Llay Resource Centres

Those visiting the Wrexham Street Festival on 29th July and voting ends at the annual Play Day on 2nd August. You can also vote online here.