24 January 2008
This week Harlow Renaissance and Harlow Council will be running the second in a series of Window Works art projects. The aim of the project is to decorate and disguise empty retail units, helping the town centre to become a more colourful and exciting place to shop, work and visit.
The Tree of Life installation will be created by local residents who have volunteered their time to work on the project with artist Aña Terry. Many of the volunteers are member of local community organisations including the 50 Club, Magazine Club and Friends of Harlow Sculpture Collection.
The Tree of Life image was chosen as a symbol of the growth and vitality that will be achieved within the town over the coming months and years.
The style of the design has been inspired by First Nation Canadian artist Norval Morisseau whose use of strong colours and patterning created striking images. Creative techniques used in the session will include yarn painting and textured layering of mixed media to create a vibrant and dynamic image.
The completed artwork will be installed in the window of the old Clarks unit in the Harvey Centre from next week.
Over the coming months Window Works will be bringing together more local people and artists to create a series of vibrant artworks throughout the town centre. Professional artists and local amateur painting groups will create artworks alongside schools, the college, young people and shoppers.
Lorna Spenceley, Chairman of Harlow Council said:
"Window Works is a project that is helping to make Harlow’s town centre a more lively place for residents to shop, work and visit. The Tree of Life has been created by Harlow residents and local community groups who have volunteered their time this week to create this artwork for the Harvey Centre."
Andrew Bramidge, Chief Executive of Harlow Renaissance Ltd commented:
"The vibrancy and symbolism of Tree of Life, the second Window Works project helps to demonstrate our vision for the future of Harlow as a bright, lively and positive town in which to live and work. We hope that this will help to revitalise the town centre in advance of its re-development in the future.”