Sun Sculpture
| Browse information by: Location Makers General Information Classification Object Parts Object Condition History References Photographs |  Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright for Photograph: Creative Commons |
Location
| Street: | High Street |
| Town: | Bognor Regis |
| Parish: | Bognor Regis |
| Council: | Arun District Council |
| County: | West Sussex |
| Postcode: | PO21 |
| Location on Google Map | |
| Object setting: | Road or Wayside |
| Access is: | Public |
| Location note: | At the junction with London Road, opposite Abbey National Building Society |
| In the AZ book: | West Sussex |
| Page: | 164 |
| Grid reference: | E9 |
| The A-Z books used are A-Z East Sussex and A-Z West Sussex (Editions 1A 2005). Geographers' A-Z Map Company Ltd. Sevenoaks. | |
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Makers
| Name : | Pete Codling |
| Role: | Sculptor |
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General Information
| Commissioned by: | The Art and Regeneration Partnership for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton |
| Construction period: | 2005-2008 |
| Unveiling date: | 19/03/2008 |
| Work is: | Extant |
| Owner custodian: | Bognor Regis Town Council |
| Object listing: | Not listed |
| Description: | Large upright variable width shaft, painted turquoise and gold, surmounted by a large 'sun-like' gold painted disc. The sculpture faces south east and is situated in a pedestrianised shopping area. At the base is an integral round seat. |
| Iconographical description: | 'The sculpture is inspired by ‘ancient sun masks, the story of Icarus and the great modern seaside tradition of the International Bognor Birdman.’ |
| Signatures: | Signature at the base, south east face:
Pete C 08 |
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Classification
| Categories: | Sculptural, Free Standing, Abstract |
| Object type1: | Sculpture |
| Subject type1: | Symbolic |
| Subject type2: | Non-figurative |
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Object Parts
| Part 1: | Whole sculpture |
| Material: | Painted copper with gold leaf |
| Height (cm): | 700 |
| Width (cm): | 150 |
| Depth (cm): | 100 |
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Object Condition
| Overall condition: | Good |
| Risk assessment: | No known risk |
| Condition 1 of type: | Vandalism |
| Condition 1: | Graffiti |
| Condition 2: | Surface damage |
| More details: | Some graffiti scratched into the base on both sides of the sculpture. |
| Date of on-site inspection: | 29/05/2008 |
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History
| History: | 'Nationally renowned artist to create new work for Bognor Regis
Pete Codling, creator of the Woolston Millennium Garden in Southampton and the new Arundel Street Precinct in Portsmouth, is to create a bespoke piece of public art for the junction of London Road and the High Street in Bognor Regis. Over the coming months, Pete Codling will get to know the town centre and the people who use it so he can develop his idea for the Bognor Regis Sun sculpture. His initial ideas are inspired by ‘ancient sun masks, the story of Icarus and the great modern seaside tradition of the International Bognor Birdman.’ He also draws inspiration from local history and the interpretation of people’s dreams and aspirations. It is evident from much of his work that he believes public art should be a celebration of the future, as well as of the past. But it will be the people of Bognor Regis who will really get their chance to make their mark on the town. During the course of design and development, Pete will be running a series of workshops for local people, to ensure that their input is had on this important piece of public art. Richard McMann, Head of Economic and Cultural Development for Arun District Council said: “The Bognor Regis Sculpture proposed for the junction of High Street and London Road is an excellent example of the strength of partnership working. It forms part of the wider Arts & Regeneration project for the towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.” The Arts & Regeneration project seeks to enhance the environmental qualities and assets of the two seaside towns by adding an artistic dimension. The projects are intended to have a significant impact on the built environment and help contribute towards a sense of identity and community. Local distinctiveness, increasing knowledge of local history, appreciation and pride in place are key elements as well as developing quality arts and crafts. The Art and Regeneration partnership consists of Bognor Regis Town Council, Littlehampton Town Council, Arts Council England South East, West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and local artist representatives. The cost for all of the Regeneration arts projects in both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton will be met from a central partnership fund. Councillor Simon McDougall, Leader and Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee for Bognor Regis Town Council said: “The Town Council were very impressed with the presentation given by Pete Codling and look forward to working with him on the project over the coming year.” Robert Martin, Arts Council England South East Visual Arts Officer, Crafts, is a representative on the partnership and part of the selection panel which conducted the artist interviews. He added: “Regeneration in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton is being driven by the arts with the support of Arts Council England South East. This initiative is another example of the way in which the arts can make a positive impact on economic development for communities.” Further information will be circulated to the media as the project develops, and details of the public consultations on the design will be advertised locally. In addition to the Bognor Regis Sun Sculpture, work is progressing on a number of public art projects in Littlehampton and others in Bognor Regis, and details will be made available in due course. For additional information, members of the public are invited to contact Sadie Tooley, Cultural Development Manager at Arun District Council, on 01903 737874. (Arun District Council website: 14 November 2005) 'New Sun Sculpture and other art to be unveiled in Bognor Regis Three new pieces of bespoke public art in Bognor Regis will be officially opened by Arun District Council’s Chairman on March 19. Councillor Graham Tyler will unveil the striking new seven metre high “sun sculpture” with its artist creator Pete Coding, Bognor Regis Mayor Don Eldridge and representatives from the Town Council during a ceremony taking place at noon on March 19. Afterwards, the group will move from the sculpture’s location at the junction of London Road and High Street in Bognor Regis to the Bognor Regis Museum where the Bathing Machine designed by artist Richard Farrington will be officially unveiled. Finally the group will visit the historic weather station on the seafront, which has had brand new artistic railings designed and installed by artist Matthew Fedden. All of the pieces of art have been produced under the banner of the “Arts and Regeneration project” for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, for which £65,000 funding was awarded from the Arts Council England South East. As well as the new artwork in Bognor Regis, the project has also funded the popular Oyster Way marker trail in Littlehampton, a seafood recipe book and a number of other symbolic metal signs. Additional funding for the new art has been provided by both the town councils, Arun District Council, Bognor Regis Town Marketing Group, Littlehampton Town Centre Action Group, West Sussex County Council and Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). Bognor Regis is recorded as being one of the sunniest places in Britain, a fact celebrated by residents and many holiday makers every year, and so the sun was a natural subject brief given to Pete when he was commissioned to create the sculpture in January 2006. Pete, creator of the Woolston Millennium Garden in Southampton and the Arundel Street Precinct in Portsmouth, has taken inspiration from ancient sun masks, the great modern seaside tradition of the international Bognor Birdman, local history and the interpretation of people’s dreams and aspirations for his creation. During the course of design and development, he has run a series of workshops for local people to ensure that their input was heard on this important piece of public art. He also worked with students from Bognor Regis Community College and University College Chichester, who helped to firm up the final design. The new railings for the weather station, located at the corner of the park on Waterloo Square, just opposite the Pier, were created by artist Matthew Fedden. He has replaced the old railings and barbed wire with a sleek new design that enhances the local environment and reflects the historical importance of the station. After the opening, the Chairman will officially hand the pieces of art work to Bognor Regis Town Council, which will now own them and be responsible for their maintenance. Councillor Graham Tyler said: “I am very excited to be officially unveiling the new sun sculpture, the bathing machine and the weather station railings in Bognor Regis. All of these pieces of public art bring a unique vibrancy to the town. “I believe all the art work that has been undertaken under the arts and regeneration project has met its objective of enhancing the environmental qualities and assets of our two seaside towns by adding an artistic dimension to them. They contribute towards a real sense of identity and community and I think our residents should be very proud of them”. Councillor Norman Dingemans, Arun’s Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Development, added: “All of the projects are a great example of the way in which the arts can make a positive impact on the economic development for communities. “A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to bring these projects to fruition and I would like to thank those people who have worked so hard to turn these ideas into reality. “We are lucky now in Arun to be home to some great pieces of contemporary art work that, particularly in Bognor Regis, will complement our on-going and exciting regeneration plans.” (http://www.arun.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=4468) 'Sculpture set to shine at last A long-awaited sun sculpture is about to be installed in Bognor Regis town centre. The modern artwork will be installed in the shopping area in March. It will be officially handed over to Bognor Regis Town Council in a noon ceremony on March 19. The seven-metre (32ft) high sculpture will tower above the junction of London Road and High Street with its depiction of the sun. Sculptor Pete Codling, pictured above, designed the copper piece with gold leaf coating to reflect Bognor's renowed record for sunshine. His inspiration came from the Anglo Saxon queen, Bucgren, who founded the original fishing village on Bognor's site, and pagan worship of the sun. Dramatic centrepiece of the sculpture will be a 1.5m wide hemisphere on top of the stem to represent the sun's rays. The sculpture will face southwards to greet shoppers as they enter High Street from The Arcade and capture the sun for most of the day. Its installation will take place early one morning around March 18. A crane will lift the sculpture into place and it will be bolted into a supporting base put beneath the pavement late last year. At the handover, Arun District Council chairman Cllr Graham Tyler will 'present' the sculpture to Bognor's town mayor, Cllr Don Eldridge. The date of the ceremony has been chosen as close as possible to the spring equinox of March 21 when daytime and nighttime are equal. That date was ruled out because it falls on Good Friday this year. The sculpture has been a joint project between the councils. The town council will be responsible for its maintenance in return for a £2,000 payment. Funding for the sculpture cost £28,000 from the Arts Council, among other sources.' 1 March 2008 (http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/bognor-news/Sculpture-set-to-shine-at.3834171.jp) 'Bognor's new sun sculpture stands proud SHOPPERS in Bognor town centre stopped in amazement as a huge sun sculpture was revealed at Wednesday lunchtime. The artwork was unveiled to huge applause and praise from residents. ''At last culture has come to Bognor Regis, I think it's really fantastic, I'm pleased to see something a bit different,'' said Sally Ann Bayne-Watson (37) of Bognor. Stephen Young (53) also from Bognor stopped to stare at the colourful sculpture. He said: ''I think it's a lot of money for a piece of art, but it's certainly a landmark and very noticeable. I'm sure it will become a meeting point for people''. Christine Tebbit from Runcton said: ''I think it's really lovely, bright and striking. It's a good thing for the town.'' Only a few people criticised the sculpture. Littlehampton resident Patrick Walsh (41) said: ''I can see that people will appreciate this but I'm not sure I personally like it, it's a bit brash, too bold for my taste.'' The sculptor Pete Codling said to the crowds: ''I'd like to thank all the people that have helped me create the sun sculpture, to make it and to store it. ''After two years of hard work this piece means an awful lot to me and I hope it will mean a lot to you all too.'' The sculpture is the first piece of public art in Bognor since a fountain was installed to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897. Mr Codling was commissioned to create the seven metre high sculpture topped by its 1.5m wide sphere in January 2006. He was asked to reflect Bognor's famed sunshine record and its proud history as a seaside resort. He used these facts and added inspiration from the international Bognor birdman and local history for his creation.' (http://www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/6427/Bognor39s-new-sun-sculpture-stands.3895222.jp) |
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References
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Photographs
Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |  Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |
 Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |  Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |
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