A new ‘Flower of Life’ artwork – co-created by students at the Island Learning Centre, artist Nathan Holt, and various Island organisations and prominent local people – has been installed at Newport Bus Station.
The work is part of Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme on the Isle of Wight, which empowers young people to make a positive difference to their communities through creativity and is one of several funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner with the aim of strengthening communities and reducing crime.
The flower is made up of 90 individual MDF petals, each decorated by a different person in the community. As well as creating their own petals, the students led sessions with younger children at Hunnyhill Primary School and older people from Northbrooke House and Independent Arts.
Others who contributed to the piece included staff and governors at the Island Learning Centre; staff at Southern Vectis where the work is sited; Veteran Outreach Support; Active Living; IW Council’s director of children, young people and families Ashley Whittaker; and MP Richard Quigley.
The work is the result of a 12 week project where the students worked with Nathan Holt exploring themes around empathy and how we treat others, particularly across the generations.
Juliet Lainson, art and design lead at the Island Learning Centre, explained why it’s important that students get the opportunity to work with professional artists:
“Having creative practitioners lead workshops helps to break down some of the barriers between young people and their perception of adults, helping to increase student confidence and provide different experiences beyond the curriculum. Being a positive male role model, Nathan was instrumental to student engagement, particularly among some of the boys.”
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Artist Nathan Holt added:
“The students embraced every challenge and excelled in their creativity. The final outcome is even more impressive than I had envisioned, representing a true multigenerational collaboration that I hope will be enjoyed by the whole community and spreads a message of togetherness far and wide.”
Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer at Artswork added:
“One of the highlights of the project has been seeing the students’ confidence grow as they share their skills with people from different generations. We are immensely proud of the students and grateful to all the organisations and individuals who supported this project, in particular Southern Vectis for giving the final piece such a prominent position in the community.”
Simon Moye, operations manager at Southern Vectis commented:
“We’re delighted to be hosting the ‘Flower of Life’ at Newport Bus Station. As an established presence within the local community, Southern Vectis services are used by many people across the island – young and old. This collaborative project has provided an opportunity for shared understanding between generations – and we are proud to be displaying the spectacular piece of art that has been created by all those involved.”
Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemaker programme is funded by the UK Government through Arts Council England.
Great idea, needs rolling out around the island
to tart up the shoddy buildings, there are plenty
of them.
Could use them to tart up County Hall.