The University’s Department of Art History and Theory is involved in an inspiring series of art projects and public discussions in Harlow.

Let us Pray for those Now Residing in the Designated Area (Art and the New Town) is curated by London-based artist Roman Vasseur. It provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the unique history and exciting future of Harlow, taking the words of the 1948 service of dedication for the town as a starting point. Both Dr Matthew Poole and Dr Valerie Fraser from the Department of Art History and Theory are linked to this project, which runs from Tuesday 4 November to Monday 22 December.

Designed and built after the war, Harlow was entirely master-planned by the late Sir Frederick Gibberd. The town possesses the largest municipal collection of post-war sculpture in Britain, including works by Moore, Hepworth and Chadwick, making it an example of urban design that aspired to notions of democracy and community simultaneously ancient and new, conservative and radical.

Artists have been asked to respond to the paradoxes and opportunities of the project of Harlow. This includes “Statecraft”, a specially commissioned video work by Amanda Beech filmed on location in Harlow; The Serendipity Group and Friends, a painted inventory of buildings and spaces in Harlow; New Sculpture – Welcome to Elsewhere, an exhibition of sculpture and proposals for monuments by artists Chris Evans, Alison Gill and Pil and Galia Kollectiv; and Reverse Consultation (Old New Town), where Mike Ricketts revives a study of Harlow written by him a generation ago.

Two panel discussions have been organised to accompany the newly commissioned art works. These are open to the public at St Paul’s Town Centre Church at 4pm, Saturday 8 November and Saturday 22 November. The discussions have been organised in collaboration with University’s Centre for Curatorial Studies, bringing artists and art historians together to discuss key issues relevant to today’s public art and social architecture. These issues have a direct impact on the interpretation of the history of Harlow New Town and a clear bearing on its future.

The first discussion will ask the question: Do you want or need public art? Dr Matthew Poole, along with artists Bob and Roberta Smith and art historian Iris Balija, will explore the nature and necessity of public art and questions of what makes public art public, and how and if public art benefits the public who live with it.

This project is part of Essex County Council’s Genius Loci county-wide project to promote a spirit of place through the commissioning of art and the involvement of artists in planning and design initiatives. To book to attend any of the performances or talks, please telephone: 01279 431745.

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Notes to editors:
To book to attend any of the performances or talks, please telephone: 01279 431745

This project is part of Essex County Council’s Genius Loci county-wide project to promote a spirit of place through the commissioning of art and the involvement of artists in planning and design initiatives.

The exhibition and events programme is:
Tuesday 4 to Saturday 22 November - Amanda Beech exhibition open to public

Saturday 8 November – Wayne Lloyd Nu Town Cinema Performance at Barnabas Hall
Saturday 8 November – Public Talks event at St Paul’s Church

Saturday 15 November - Wayne Lloyd Nu Town Cinema Performance at Barnabas Hall

Saturday 22 November - Wayne Lloyd Nu Town Cinema Performance at Barnabas Hall
Saturday 22 November - Public Talks event at St Paul’s Church

Tuesday 25 November to Saturday 29 November – Exhibition of Wayne Lloyd Drawings open to public.

Tuesday 2 December to Saturday 6 December – Exhibition of New Town Painting School and Gibberd sketchbooks

Tuesday 9 December to Saturday 13 December – Exhibition of New Town New Sculpture open to public

Tuesday 16 December to Saturday 20 December – Exhibition of Mike Rickets dialogue with Harlow open to public

Gallery space is open 11am to 5pm Thursday through to Monday and 1pm to 4pm Sunday