A huge flock of more than 100 mosaic birds are set to take flight in Hull Paragon Station.
The incredible artwork is the product of a six-month project that has seen 26 artists join dozens of residents from Hull, the East Riding and Lincolnshire to create this stunning installation.
The installation, Fly to Freedom, launches tomorrow (Wednesday, September 27) at the Hull train station where it will stay for the next year.
Mosaic Artist and Project Co-ordinator Corinne Fueillatre said:
“Mosaics are made up of many parts like Hull’s population and so we as artists invited people of different age, gender, religion and abilities to attend a series of workshops to mosaic a bird. As a group of Northern artists, and as a resident of Hull myself, we are really proud to have the opportunity to be part of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and work with the community including children with disabilities, adults with hearing impairments, families and the general public.”
“Mosaic is a very accessible art form, thus the perfect medium to enable people to explore their creative side, and communities from various backgrounds to work together and alongside artists to create artwork.
The mosaic artists behind the project are from the British Association for Modern Mosaic (BAMM).
BAMM artists invited community groups to participate in the project by holding workshops in Hull Reform Synagogue, Hull and East Yorkshire Centre of the Deaf, Wansbeck Primary School, Artlink and Marist Hall. The rich and diverse community of Hull is reflected in the mosaics.
Fly to Freedom is part of Hull UK City of Culture 2017’s Creative Communities Programme.
Corinne said:
“We love mosaics and want to share and grow this ancient art form as widely as possible. Many participants have gone on to create more mosaics since their involvement.”
“Of the 123 birds created, 49 were produced by 26 artists, 23 from Yorkshire, and 74 by residents from Hull, the East Riding and Lincolnshire. We even had a mosaic artist from Denmark contact us and mosaic a bird linking us with Aarhus in Denmark, the European Capital of Culture 2017.”
Corinne thanked TransPeninne Express for allowing the artwork to be displayed in Hull Paragon Station.
David Hatfield, Station Manager for TransPennine Express said:
“We are committed to supporting our local communities and I’m thrilled that the station has been chosen to host this exhibition.
“Hull Paragon is the main arrival point for lots of those visiting the city for the UK City of Culture 2017 and I know that the birds will help create a positive first impression for customers.”
The year-long installation will be launched Wednesday September 27. From 4pm-7pm the public will have the chance to meet the artists and participants.
Martin Green, Director of Hull 2017, said:
“Paragon Station is the point of entry for many of the thousands of people visiting Hull this year for City of Culture and this delightful art installation adds to the warm welcome they can expect whilst here.
“It’s just the latest piece of art backed by Hull 2017 to be installed at the station and joins another Creative Communities project, the fantastic replica of Amy Johnson’s Gipsy Moth, and Claire Barber’s Look Up installation The Train Track and the Basket.”
