Essence: Creative Producer /Artist

ESSENCE commissioned by Festival Stoke.

A spectacular installation and art trail through Stoke, that celebrates the spirit of people in Stoke-on-Trent in fresh and illuminating ways. A temporary outdoor piece of public artwork applying large-scale sculptures to capture the essence of people making a difference in their communities; collectively embodying the heartbeat of Stoke as a place and an identity. 

The ‘monuments’ are not of the usual suspects found in civic spaces, but instead represent ‘unseen’ people who serve their community and inspire positive social change.

Following a public nomination campaign, 12 people were selected whom I spent time with, interviewed and photographed. These Secret Stars of Stoke-on-Trent represented people from a range of backgrounds, whose work, activism and/or community engagement, fostered a present-day positive narrative of Stoke. 

Maker/Sculptor, Richard Redwin, responded to the data I had collected, by sculpting their faces utilising repurposed materials donated by local businesses. Moulded neon lights brought the faces alive from dusk, illuminating the character of those they represent, whilst alluding to the warmth of character that Stokies are renowned for. 

ESSENCE is a commission awarded by Festival Stoke for their 8-week Art Street festival launched in March 2020.

“I think for a community to be positive, it needs to have a worldview and not an insular view. I think you always need to be open to outside influences and as long as you are open to outside influences it will remain positive. But the moment you start building walls and making it insular, I think that’s a downward spiral”. Peter Herbert