Page 16 - link magazine

THE SCULPTURE CHALLENGE
Open Category to win a football signed by
Concluding our tour of West Swindon's four
all the players at Swindon Town.
public sculptures, we visit the first one,
'Looking to the Future,' which is to be
Use this official entry form. Further forms
found at the West Swindon Centre lakes
can be obtained from Dewhurst the Butcher
at the West Swindon Centre. Jon Buck, pictured right, the sculptor
describes his work
In 1985 I was given the task of
Three questions from Dewhurst The Butcher: becoming Swindon's first Sculptor-
1. Who scored the goals when Swindon won the League Cup in-Residence. The idea behind the
scheme was to have an artist working
Final in 1969?
in a community setting. I was given
the old hut in Toothill to use as a
studio and community workshop.
2. What club did Ossie Ardiles play for in Argentina? A number of sites were considered
for the sculpture before the new park
at Westlea was finally chosen. I
worked in conjunction with the
3. Name two current international players at Swindon Town
landscape architects in designing and
F.C. shaping thespace where the sculpture
would be sited.
After making several models because they were very soon
exploring different ideas I decided to vandalised. Due to limited funding
Three questions from the West Swindon Centre:
make a group of sunbathing figures. the figures had to be cast into resin
4. In what month and year did the Centre open?
By giving them minimal clothing I and this did not stand up to the
hoped they would be less likely to constant and sustained attacks. Had
become dated. there been a choice I would have cast
S. List ten shops operating at the Centre? My idea for the figures and their the figures in metal. However after
positioning was deliberately intended two major repairs and repaints the
to be ambiguous so that people figures continued to be defaced so
walking through the park could when I was offered the chance to
decide for themselves what the move the sculpture to a new site, I
relationship between them might be. reluctantly agreed.
6. How many car parking spaces are to be found at the West Their expressions also reveal nothing; In May1988, after yet more repairs,
Swindon shopping centre? they gaze into the distance without they were given a new home next to
lookingateach other and one wonders the lake in the more public West
what they see or think about. Hence Swindon District Centre. The figures
my title 'Looking to the Future,' which are now sited on a specially made
Three questions from The Link Magazine: refers to what they may see both as wooden jetty. Because of the way
7. When did the first residents of West Swindon arrive? young users of the park and as part of they are dressed this location seems
Swindon, in whose future they will even more appropriate and the
Li
June 1976
November 1975 Li April 1976 J
take part. original intent of the group remains
Had they been looking at their own unaltered. The water also helps to
8. In what month and year was The Link first published? immediate future when they were protect them and gives the added
first sited it would have looked bleak bonus of marvellous reflections.
9. Tick the right answer
Robert Cox from Shaw writes: kitchen tiles, the three ducks flying

Is The Link magazine named after the Link Centre? Li "Sunbathers in deep snow" - nice up our walls or the patterned grille on
or photo for the papers; I could earn the front of our cars. Art enters all our

Is the Link Centre name after the Link Magazine? Li myself a few pounds,' I used to lives - whether we like it or not: so
speculate when walking past these let's enjoy it.
figures on wintry days whilst they
JUDGES:
were in their original waterless site at
The Competition Judges will be Cohn Calderwood, Captain of Westlea Park, off Westlea Drive. Rachel Martin of Shaw comments:
Swindon Town, the West Swindon Manager Lionel Dicks and The newlakeside setting of these Of all the sculptures in West Swindon
statues is excellent, though care will I like this one best. It makes me smile
the editor of The Link Roger Ogle.
need to be taken that the vegetation every time I see it, usually because
behind does not engulf them or the the kind of weather these bathers are
RULES: bed of reeds obscure them. The sitting in would give them double
i) Only entries on the official form will be considered. bubbling activity of the fountain pneumonia! Their faces never change
The judges decisions will be final. No correspondence
ii) contrasts with their peaceful - almost - always so serious, and that makes
will be entered into. bored - expression. The new colour me smile as well. It's as if they are
scheme helps too. taking themselves too seriously, but
All entries must be accompanied by 50p which will be
iii)
These bathers are life-like, but not being dressed in swimming costumes
donated to the Swindon Prospect Foundation for the erotic, and finely sculptured - with is such a contradiction that we can
terminally ill. stomachs faintly reminiscent of only laugh at them.
Michelangelo's 'David'. So why do It could be that the young bathers
they cause such offense to more than are serious because they are looking
the odd dog which is disturbed by to their own futures and the
them? Why do they bother people? uncertainty of what could happen. It
5 - 14 year olds entering the
They are straightforward skilled makes me look forward to summer
'A Great Day at Wembley' craftsmanship, well displayed. They when it is not, and to a swim when it
Artwork competition did cost us some money. But is summer.
Shakespeare, Beethoven and I like this realistic scuipturebecause
Michelangelo all cost subsidy from it is more visually understandable
Name: some section of society in the past. and easier to relate to than the others
And would we have the Beatles, Sir in West Swindon. Even if the
David Attenborough or New Kids on conclusions of this piece by the public
Address:
Block now if people had not been are not quite what the sculptor
willing to spend some money in the intended, it doesn't really matter,
more recent past on arts education? what counts is enjoying a sculpture
Telephone: Age: We all have 'art' in our homes - time and time again, wherever and
whether it be the pattern on the whatever it is.