Putting communities at the heart of the city through creativity
‘Co-Creating Public Space’- A city wide project giving Southampton’s cultural ambitions a further boost, reflections on a recent Arts Council Place Partnership investment and the city’s future.
Co-Creating Public Space
Public art has found a new form in Southampton that puts inclusivity and relevance at the front and centre. Together with the University of Southampton (UoS), John Hansard Gallery, has been co-developing a new public art strategy for the city by working on a nationally significant project ‘Co-Creating Public Space’ right in the heart of the city. Funded by the Arts Council, Southampton City Council and support from GO! Southampton. Woodrow Kernohan, Director of John Hansard Gallery said:
Each of the five projects has been developed in dialogue with community partners and will bring artists and communities together with the ambition of creating positive change.”
The project, launched in April 2022, spans over two years and invites communities across Southampton to develop major public art commissions with leading artists who create artworks launched alongside and in response to wider festivals and community celebrations, such as; the Mela Festival, most recently the Lunar New Year, and Black History Month.
‘Co-Creating Public Space’ is exactly what its name suggests and is set out to ignite new thoughts around creativity and public space in relation to gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, ability, access, health and wellbeing. By bringing together city-wide partners and local and international artists, it has given voice to various communities through putting the artists and individuals at the forefront, and sparking important conversations in the city.
A few weeks ago, Darren Henley, our Chief Executive visited the individuals and artists making this project a reality at the opening of Grace Lau’s Portraits In a Chinese Studio. He said:
“I am most impressed with the enthusiasm for culture in the city and the ambition for the future. It’s fantastic to see all those people who came together from the arts world, the business world, a great local authority backing arts and culture, as well as the two universities here doing the same thing.”
During celebrations of the Lunar New Year 2023, artist Grace Lau recreated a 19th century Chinese portrait studio inviting passers-by to sit for free photographic portraits in the Marlands shopping centre.
By bringing individuals from all backgrounds into the backdrop of a traditional Chinese studio setting, the artist hopes to ignite dialogue and engage with diverse communities in the city. Digital copies donated to Southampton City Archives provide a social record of communities in 2023.
For its next commission this February, and throughout Black History Month 2023, the Gallery is partnering with non-profit arts organisation Kingston Creative, Black History Month South, and Southampton Black Archives to commemorate the Windrush Generation for an exhibition of ‘Windrush Portraits’ - the first stage of a transatlantic artistic collaboration with artists in both Kingston, Jamaica and Southampton, UK.
Artists Mary Evans (UK-based) and Michael Elliott (based in Jamaica) will present artworks that highlight the legacy of the Windrush generation and migration on digital billboards across Jamaica. The artists will undertake visits to Southampton and Kingston to meet Caribbean communities in Southampton and Windrush returnees in Kingston. This will result in new artworks, created in collaboration with communities from both places, and will be presented in October 2023 in the two countries.
And this is just the start of it. In the next few months, Co-Creating Public Space will see collaborations with other international artists, Skate Southampton, Art Asia and the Mela Partnership, with more artworks and activities for the public to enjoy and experience. It continues to make its impact in the community, bringing together artists, producers and the cultural sector of Southampton, adding to its social and creative recovery following the pandemic through the creation of these opportunities and roles.
The future
Alongside these exciting commissions, last week the Arts Council announced a significant National Lottery Place Partnerships award of £1.57 million, that will propel Southampton Culture Trust’s future ambitions in relation to culture, festivals, events and tourism. In response to this news, Satvir Kaur, Leader of the Council, said:
“At a time when we need to grow our local economy and attract visitors to the city, this latest news from ACE is very welcome news. We remain committed to delivering on our City of Culture bid legacy and create a place where people want to live, work, study, visit and enjoy.”
In April, nine organisations in Southampton will join our 2023-26 National Portfolio, receiving a share of £11.5 million: including John Hansard Gallery, Zoielogic, Turner Sims, Artswork, Art Asia; newcomers MAST Mayflower Studios, OperaUpClose, and SoCo Music.
From the community driven art commissions, to the new performing arts companies joining our National Portfolio, and Southampton Culture Trust’s vision for the city to be a leading centre for culture - there is plenty to look forward to in Southampton, and so many people playing a crucial role in the cultural transformation of the city.
More about Southampton:
John Hansard Gallery | Co-Creating Public Space
Southampton 2025 | Follow the #SouthamptonForward conference on today (9 February)
Cultural Connectors | More about the cultural leadership programme for 16-25 yr olds
