Govan’s iconic Pearce Statue,
located at Govan Cross, is undergoing restoration works this Spring and everyone
in the local community is welcome to get involved! The project is funded by the
Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) who have commissioned Impact Arts
to engage the community in an interpretation project running in tandem with the
repair work.
The interpretation project will
aim to reveal and promote the statue’s hidden history, restoration and on-going
care requirements. The restoration work itself is a 4 week contract to repair
the bronze, restoring the original patination/surface condition; cleaning of
the plinth and repair of the inlaid lead lettering; re-instatement of the missing
cast-iron railing to the original foundry pattern. Other projects surrounding
the statue include a community street theatre piece at this year’s Govan fair (taking
place on the 7th June 2013) and a bronze restoration master class with site
visit.
The interpretation project aims to
raise awareness of the Pearce Statue and Govan’s exceptional history. It will also aim to engage people and
cultivate their active interest in the preservation and promotion of Govan’s
cultural and built heritage. The result will be a 20 page, full colour
illustrated booklet that commemorates the restoration of the statue.Members of the local community are invited to
come along and hear facts about Sir William Pearce and the statue’s sculptor
Edward Onslow Ford. This is also an opportunity to learn more about the
creation, care and maintenance of bronze statues, and to receive an
introduction to graphic design and desk top publishing by assisting with the
layout and design of the actual leaflet. No previous experience required!
Lead Artist James Gow, Impact
Arts, said:
“We’ve already hosted a session at
St Saviours Primary School, with primary 5 and 6 pupils so this is an
opportunity for people of all ages to get involved to make their mark on their
community, and to get involved in a piece of history that is being rediscovered
and celebrated. During the first workshops we looked at the heritage of Govan,
who Sir William Pearce was and why he is so important as to have a statue
commissioned in his honour. The next workshops will involve creative activities
including drawing, photography and sculpture. It will be fun and informal and
it’s very much ‘the more the merrier’ so come along with friends and family.”
From the end of March an interactive
exhibition space will be located in the window of Impact Arts’ base on Govan
Road (directly opposite the Lyceum) showcasing the work produced in sessions at
the workshops.
You can read more about the project on the STV Local website.
DETAILS
The next Workshop will take place
on Wednesday 17th April 11am-1pm.
The workshops will be held at
Impact Arts’ Govan workshop, 847 Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow, G51 3UU.
No booking required.
Contacts
To find out more please contact
James Gow on:
0141 575 3001
07813 340858