Public Art Commission
The aim of the project is to commission an artwork which captures George Melly’s sense of fun, his mistress jazz, his interest in Surrealist art and his passion for fishing. The challenge will be to depict in static 3D form the outrageous larger-than-life character of George Melly, his unconventionality and exuberance.
We are not looking to commission a statue or portrait of George Melly. We are looking to commission a work of art of high quality which becomes an important landmark in Brecon; a sculpture that the residents of Brecon will be proud of and which will draw visitors to the town.
The Process
During June 2010, the search for an artist to create a sculpture to celebrate George Melly began. An artist’s brief was written and widely advertised through artist networks, websites and visual arts organisations. (To read the Artist’s Brief please click here)
45 applications were received from artists throughout the UK and at the end of July a short-list of three artists were selected by the Artist Selection Panel to develop a design concept for the commission. The artists visited the site in Brecon and were given a few weeks to research George Melly and develop their proposal. At the beginning of September the Artist Selection Panel were presented with all three proposals in person by each artist and the panel chose Bruce Williams’ design.
Bruce Williams’ proposal is to create an artwork in three parts which will also function as seating. The fedora and lips are sculptural pieces that can also be used as seating, whilst the third piece is in a bench form but patterned with the stripes of a Melly suit. (To read more about Bruce Williams’ proposal please click here)
The initial design concept was then developed into a detailed design and a 3D model was made. The artist also prepared costings for implementing the commission.
During this time, as Bruce Williams worked on the fine detail of how the benches would be constructed, a programme of school workshops was carried out on the theme of art & jazz
Artist Pip Woolf from nearby Llangynidr worked with 6 schools in the Brecon area, working with the children to create drawings, paintings and sculptures in response to jazz music. (To read more about the art workshops please click here)
As part of ‘Move to the Beat’ Brecon arts week at the end of October 2010, the George Melly Sculpture Appeal held several events including:
- Launch and display of the 3D model by Bruce Williams at St Mary’s Church, Brecon. (The model was then moved to the Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery on public display.)
- Exhibition of a selection of artwork from the Art & Jazz workshops at St Mary’s Church, Brecon.
- Exhibition of panels describing and illustrating the George Melly Sculpture Appeal project. (Please click on the here to download images of these panels)
- ‘Meet the Artist’ event at the George Hotel, Brecon.
- Big Draw event with Pip Woolf at St Mary’s Church, Brecon.
