Page 14 - link magazine

The White Horse Pacified \QqazIne
Love it or hate it Julie Uvesey's larger than life concrete and steel \1 (
sculpture in Shaw can't fail to get people talking about public art, äblIi%
which confirms one of the points she made when we interviewed
her in February 1988.
As part of our challenge Dave Evans, a Landscape Architect from
Thamesdown Council, Robert Cox and Rachel Martin, both of Sculpture
Shaw, take another look at the White Horse
Following publication in February of an Arts Council report on
Dave Evans: The sculpture stands within an public sculpture around Britain, The Link magazine Issued a
The White Horse Pacified was area of public open space set in challenge to residents to express their views on the four pieces
created from steel box sections what is believed to be an old clay of art to be found in our area.
manufactured by Tristar pit, which is to be developed during Readers who would like to take part should ring the Editor on
Engineering based within the old this summer. 872282. Letters of comment are welcomed.
Great Western Railway Works. Initial reaction to the White Horse
These steel sections were then is how large it is. It stands some 5
assembled on site under the metres high and towers above you.
watchful eye of the artist. Once the The steel sections are painted dark
elaborate framework was erected, grey with flashes of red paint, the
a special concrete known as 'gunite' purpose of which is not obvious to
was then sprayed on certain me. The white sections of concrete
sections. appear to symbolise the shapes of
chalk which are carved into the
Chalk Downs to form the neolithic
RON AHRENS Uffington White Horse. On the
back of the horse is a silhouette of a
BUILDER
rider; perhaps this symbolises the
DECORATOR pacification of the wild spirit of the
Specialising in all aspects White Horse?
of high quality Discussions with other people
building work vary as to what the sculpture is.
especially decorating, Some instantly recognise it as a
carpentry & plastering. horse whilst others see it as
something totally different. The sculptor and her work, circa. 1988
Abstract art in this form often has
All work guaranteed. this effect on the viewer and will no Rachel Martin lives in Shaw and works at Allied Dunbar:
No job too small.
doubt provoke discussion and Before knowing the name of it I and even less like they would enjoy
Free estimates
thought whether positive or wasn't quite sure what this 'out of a rider- like the now pacified horse.
Telephone: 692134 negative for quite some time to the way' sculpture was all about, As I did a course at art college, I
(West Swindon) come. but comparing this horse with chalk can glean something of what the
white horses around this region sculptor was trying to say, but as a
was quite helpful. Those horses West Swindon resident I think it
4 are flat images, frozen in a gallop or does little for the community at
TA S T I HULL TRUCK PRODUCTIONS Present trot. This horse is three large. I don't know anyone who
dimensional, with more of a feeling likes it (including me!) and it is
of movement in it. With its more generally rather meaningless.
curved lines it has the appearance Maybe if there was a plaque and an
that it could flick its tail and move explanation it might be a help, but
onto another patch of grass at any as it is, most of us are left to wonder
moment. The chalk horses never what these dowdy bits of metal
look like they would stop and graze, and concrete are trying to say.

Robert Cox from Shaw works at the Some grass and a stroke
Written & Directed Bible Society in Westlea: from Robert and Rachel
by JOHN GOOBER
Julie Livesy has caught the
quietness of the giant white horse
as it grazes, the powerful sweep of
the mane, the nervous power in the
hind legs - ready to spring the
unsure animal away from any
danger that threatens.
When she came to Swindon I
enjoyed reading in the Link of her
involvement in the local
community such as the workshops
she ran. The sculpture sounded
promising. When I first saw the
finished product though, from
Shaw Road travelling towards
Cartwright Drive it looked neither
an attractive collection of shapes
norlikea horse. Iwas disappointed.
'Tuesday 22nd. Saturday 26th May. Looking at it afresh, with my Currently only motorists speeding
Weekdays 7.3Opm, Sat 8pm. Sat Mat 430pm at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon back to Mead Way, I can enjoy it. towards Sparcells and a few office
But the residents of Shaw view of it workers can see it to advantage.
Tickets: Tues-Thurs £7.50, £6.50. Fri/Sat £8.50, £7.50 Matinee £4.50
Concs. £1.50 off (including members of The Ski Club of Great Britain). - from behind and above - is Webenefitted fmmJulie's time with
This show is not recommended for children under 15. unflattering and does not do justice us: can her sculpture not be moved
to this powerful sculpture. so that we can enjoy that as well?