March Meeting

The group enjoyed an excellent talk by sculptor Andy Kirkby, who has been commissioned to produce seven sculptures for an art trail that will wind its way up Sea Road in Boscombe as part of the area's regeneration.

The aim of the project, Andy said, is to encourage people to climb the hill from the pier and explore Boscombe town centre. One key point that he was keen to emphasise was how important he believed involving the public in public art projects such as this was.

“Too often the public and art is sliced in half,” he said, which led to local residents knowing nothing about the art that arrived on their doorstep, often resulting in a backlash. It was important with public art, Andy continued, to talk to people who lived there and make artwork area specific. Andy then went on to tell the group about his career as an artist from 1982-2010. He got into sculpture by accident, after spending time working for an archaeological society in Guildford, recording artefacts by drawing them.

This led him to travel to Pylos in Greece, where he became fascinated by the meticulous manufacturing and amount of patience that went into creating things in 1100BC. Back in the UK Andy went to art school, where he incorporated much of what he had learned during his time on archaeological digs. He was interested in traditional technologies, which was not going on in art school in the 1980s. His first piece was a copper panel car door featuring an image from a naïve, pre-perspective painting of horses, and he also taught himself how to carve, doing some work in Portland stone.

“I like the ambiguity of carving fragments that different people interpret in different ways,” Andy said. During this time, he further widened his skill set by taking a weekend job as a monumental mason and learning bronze casting. His first opportunity to create public art came from working with David Mack in 1982, working on a lifesize nuclear submarine made of discarded car tyres. This was where Andy learned how bad reactions could be to public art installations when there had been no public consultation; a graphic artist died while trying to burn the piece down. However, Andy continued to work in public art and became interested in turf cuttings, producing a life-sized Wessex helicopter.

In 1988 he received his first public commission, an installation outside Weymouth train station to mark the electrification of the rail line. Ultimately unsatisfied with the work, he learned how to find compromise between artist and client. His next project was for English Heritage, working on the restoration of Lulworth Castle. English Heritage work, he explained, was very disciplined, and they insisted on scale drawings before sculpture work commenced.

After this, he also worked a lot with schools, where he learned the many issues involved in working with the public sector – including health and safety, insurance and how easily vandalised the artwork could be. All of this has helped Andy in his initial work for the Sea Road project. He began by researching the history of Boscombe and tried to incorporate historical events, such as the whale that washed up on Boscombe beach in 1897. He is also incorporating links to the literary history of Boscombe, including Mary Shelley's Frankenstein – Frankenstein's monster, he says, will feature in a design, but in a way that people will have to dig for it.

Other concepts include thoroughly modern themes such as global warming after sun fish were spotted off Boscombe pier. Andy's talk and slideshow fascinated the audience, who were also able to view sketches of some of his work. Elanor McBay thanked Andy and announced that the next meeting would be 21st April and would be an artists' showcase, inviting members to talk about what they do and bring along their art work, or pictures of their art work.

She also announced the Bournemouth Creatives' poetry competition: Bournemouth Creatives are going to produce a collection of poetry from our members and friends to commemorate Bournemouth in its bicentenary. We want this to be a collaboration, not just of poetry, but of all parts of the production. So, yes we need poems, but if that’s not your thing, then still get in touch if you would like to offer any help with printing, stitching or selling the finished books. Poetry rules: The theme is Bournemouth - past, present or future It must be your own original and unpublished work 25 lines maximum please.

To enter: type/print your poem on 1 sheet of A4 with your contact details on the reverse (name and email) and hand your entry to any BC committee person, OR email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 1 entry per person / £2 per entry (cash or cheque to Bournemouth Creatives). Closing date 19th May (in time for the poetry meeting!). The chosen poems will be published in a book and winners will receive a copy each. We hope you will come and read your poem for us at the poetry evening on 19th May. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for info.

Will Ablett also asked for exhibitors for Simply Art, a small exhibition at Simple Coffee Shop on the Triangle (under the library). The aim is to showcase emerging artists of any age, and the exhibition runs from 29th May to 29th June. Contact Will Ablett for more details: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 078777 06879.

Next meeting: 21st April, 6.30pm, at The Winchester.