By Observer Features
Go along to see Place of Safety – this year’s art installation at the shelter in La Falaise car park in Ventnor. Artist Kathy Williams and team have created a painted response to the themes of shelter, safety and belonging to produce a set of three 3D paintings where people can look, walk around, sit in, and share their own photos on-line.
The work has been co-created with communities in Ventnor, as people explored ways to visually express these themes in an abstract way. Responses came from thinking about personal places of safety to make reduced shapes that resonate identity and shelter. People talked about the importance of community and togetherness, and the impact of the recent landslips, as well as a desire of creating owners.
Kathy said: “Everyone has been so generous and open-minded when making their images for this project, and ages have ranged from 7 to 80! It can be common that sometimes people can be put off with abstract art, but, when given an opportunity to explore its many guises, people can create amazing things.
“To celebrate, people’s work will be shown in many of the shop and business fronts in the High Street. Visitors are encouraged to take part, take photographs and share them online @thepaintingisee.”
Beacon (hope) will be a tall, high, turning painting, neon paint ever turning in time. This will be lit for an hour at night from its home, nesting on the cliffs and there to see across the whole promenade.
Place of Safety is open daily 10-8pm, night illumination 9 -10.30pm. Free.
Place of Safety has been supported by the National Lottery Project Grants from Arts Council England.