The artworks for the Houghton Regis developments are complete and nearly in the ground. One certainly is and the others are just waiting for housing to be finished and landscaping completed so hopefully the artworks will then enhance these living spaces.
At least we have one in the ground and this one tells the story and that is FOLLOW THE HOLLOWAY. This artwork tells the story of cattle droving along ancient routes. You can sometimes detect these paths and routes through the way a path burrows through a landscape as if a tunnel of trees is created. Often there are old hedges that frame the route. Some of these paths may have unusual flora as the cattle may have “seeded” the route as they walked.
I like to think that these paths are felt and the feet that walked them can be heard in the minds eye.
Looking at the detailing we have a rabbit, of course, hedgehogs - increasingly rare - a collie - this is an indulgence as she was modelled on my own constant companion Jess. Wording surrounds the artwork giving names to the mysteries and offering clues as to the intricate and ancient network of paths and routes that intersect here.
Of course the main figures of drover and cattle seem to dominate but they are also driving through complex routes shrouded by hawthorn until a clear route offers itself. Whilst the drover seems to be pointing the way in fact he is following both the cattle and the Holloway.
Once the development is complete and open fully we will for sure get some more pictures. In the meantime here are details of the fabrication which was done by CB ARTS
TROUGHS AND FURROWS
CHURNING THE GROUND
HOLLOWAY THROUGH TIME