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Erftstadt Court Panels - Public art / Wokingham New Artwork Brings Wokingham’s Erftstadt Connection To Life
By Wokingham Town Council | Location Erftstadt Court
Press Release
Town Hall Market Place Wokingham RG40 1AS
New Artwork Brings Wokingham’s Erftstadt Connection To Life
Embargoed:
15th February 2023
Wokingham Town Council is delighted to announce that three new original pieces of art will adorn the walls of Erftstadt Court.
Erftstadt Court, the gateway between Denmark Street and the new Elms Field development, is the perfect location to highlight the connectivity between Wokingham and our twin town of Erftstadt, and both town’s natural environment. The new artworks will also bring colour and light to the red brick surrounds and cover areas which have been plagued by graffiti.
After the success of the mural project just off Denmark Street, which depicts an aerial view of Wokingham, the Town Council’s Elms Field and Howard Palmer Gardens Working Party identified the Erftstadt gateway as a location which could be improved through the introduction of art. Due to scale and complexity of creating murals in these spaces, the Arts and Culture Committee decided to commission a local artist in early 2022 to create three paintings and reproduce these as large weatherproof panels.
Artist Calina Lefter was chosen from several local artists for her use of semi-abstraction, bold use of colour and textured painterly style. The inspiration behind her artworks titled ‘Heimat’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Home’ can be found below.
Artist Calina Lefter said:
All of the artworks have names beginning with H. It was important to me to keep the titles short and straightforward to the concept, to highlight and support the images with all its emblematic meaning. If I look at the “H” shape I see two connected lands.
Cllr Sally Gurney, Chair of Art and Culture Committee:
Erftstadt Court is an important gateway to the town, connecting new facilities, businesses and infrastructure with the historic heart of the town. The new artwork celebrates our connection to the area’s namesake Erftstadt, bringing interest and light to the gateway and we hope many will stop, interpret and admire them on they way across town.
We’ve also been working with other Town Council committees, Wokingham in Bloom and local businesses to enhance the connection of the Erftstadt gateway to the rest of the town through the introduction of Christmas lights, planters and hanging baskets.
Our thanks go to not only the artist herself, but to Richard Young of R Young Art Gallery in neighbouring Alexandra Court, who has been instrumental in helping the Town Council bring the panels to life. Richard’s advice, knowledge and help in the scanning of the artwork and production of the panels was invaluable. They will be protected for the future through the application of Graffiti and UV protection.
We are very pleased to confirm that the original paintings will be placed in Wokingham Library on public display.
You can find out more about the project and the artworks at www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/public-art/
The panels are:
“Hope”
Takes the coat of arms of Erftstadt and reimagines it as a tree filled with light, with deep roots. A hopeful symbol and one that embraces the concept of a Tree of Life and a community in itself.
“Home”
Home - artwork by Calina Lefter
A pastoral scene, finding aspects of a small town or village surrounded by green fields and natural features. A murmuration of birds form the title of the piece in the sky.
“Heimat”
Heimat - artwork by Calina Lefter
The German word for home, tying us back to Erftstadt and the concept of community. A handful of birds feature, making a connection to ‘Home’. Reciprocally the water in Home is featured more prominently here in ‘Heimat’ (Erftstadt being the Town on the river Erft). You will find the title of the artwork in the ripples of the water.
About WTC
Vision: To encourage the life and vibrancy of Wokingham Town for its existing and future residents and businesses.
Wokingham Town Council comprises twenty-five councillors who represent the four wards of the town: Emmbrook, Evendons, Norreys and Wescott. The Town Councillors are elected every four years. Each year the Council elects one of their members to be the Town Mayor and Chairman of the Council. The Council delegates much of its business to the following committees:
- Amenities: Responsible for the Council’s facilities such as parks, allotments, buildings, markets, and playgrounds
- Arts & Culture: Encourages, supports and, in conjunction with other organisations, delivers artistic and cultural events to users of the town centre.
- Civic: Makes decisions on matters relating to the Mayor’s Civic involvement with the Town Council. These include Civic Events such as Civic Awards, Mayoral Town Twinning visits and the honorary staff members.
- Finance & Personnel: Controls the finances and general administration of the Council. This committee also administers the allocation of grants to local charities and community projects.
- Planning & Transportation: This committee acts as a consultative body on Planning Applications, Development Proposals and Transport issues.
The Full Council meets at least six times a year. Council meetings are open to the public.
The agendas and minutes can be found on the Town Council’s web site at www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk.
For general information please telephone the Town Council on 0118 978 3185.
For more information, please visit https://www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/erftstadt-court-panels/
the source - https://www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/erftstadt-court-panels/