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Regeneration News
Thames Gateway art promotes regeneration

A project called 'Art U Need: An Outdoor Revolution', curated by "renegade artist" Bob and Roberta Smith, is galvanising communities to regenerate neglected open spaces in the Thames Gateway.

A travelling sculpture and commemorative plates, walking tours around Canvey Island, a sculpture submerged in a lake and reassembled on an island, an instruction guide for neighbourhood activities and picture postcards of a housing estate are amongst the projects created by five contemporary artists. Milika Muritu and Andrea Mason join Lucy Harrison, Jane Wilbraham and Hayley Newman who were appointed earlier this year.

The commissions for five different South Essex districts serve to bring communities together, drawing on history, heritage and local culture for inspiration. However 'Art U Need' poses the question of whether we actually need art - can it genuinely transform the way people relate to where they live?

The artist known as Bob and Roberta Smith says: "What is interesting is that the five selected artists are all women - maybe women are better at being useful than men. Women artists seem to have better skills when it comes to bringing people together, uncovering information and inciting co-operation."

Two 'Art U Need' public events take place in December. Lucy Harrison hosts the inaugural meeting of the Rendezvous Walking Club on 3 December, and Andrea Mason will hand out her 'Art U Need' diaries at Basildon Christmas Fayre on 8 December.

The areas involved in 'Art U Need' are Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. The sites, which include Canvey Heights, Rochford Reservoir and the Garrison Estate in Purfleet, have been chosen by community representatives, local authority arts officers and Bob and Roberta Smith.

Published on Sapling: November 2006

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