Reflections of Bedford
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Reflections of Bedford is an abstract sculpture by Rick Kirby, located in Bedford town center, on Silver Street. Commissioned by Bedford Borough Council, it was erected on 12 December 2009. Kirby was chosen after winning a Public National Art exhibition to design a new sculpture for the town. The statue consists of two 5-metre high faces, opposing each other.[1] They are both made of stainless steel, to represent the former mint located on the street.[2] The pedestal of the sculpture is also inlaid with blue and purple coloured spotlights, which turn on at night to illuminate the statue. The backs of the scultpures are entirely flat, although one has a plaque attached stating the artist, name, and date of the work. At installation, the statues were rather controversial [1][3] due to their cost of £100,000, and an alleged lack of public consultation. In addition, the bust of Trevor Huddleston was moved to make space for the faces. [1]
Symbolism
The statues are inlaid with patterns of bricks and lace,[4] symbolising Bedford's past in both those industries, as the Marston Vale brickworks and Bedfordshire lace have been major influences on Bedford's economy. The sculpture is also "meant to represent the diversity of ethnic backgrounds in the town". [5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Reflections of Bedford - Silver Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK - Abstract Public Sculptures on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
- ↑ "Talking Statues Bedford : Reflections of Bedford". www.talkingstatuesbedford.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
- ↑ "Reflections of Bedford - Bedford Town Centre Statues - Digitised Resources - The Virtual Library".
- ↑ "Culture Street". www.culturestreet.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
- ↑ "Reflections of Bedford | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
- Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas
- Articles with short description
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Articles with topics of unclear notability from April 2023
- All articles with topics of unclear notability
- Places of local interest needing cleanup
- Articles with multiple maintenance issues
- Commons link is locally defined
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
- Buildings and structures in Bedford
- Statues in Bedford
- Steel sculptures in England
- Outdoor sculptures in England
- All stub articles
- United Kingdom sculpture stubs