News / public art
Synnøve Fredericks and students collaborate on new public artwork
In collaboration with students of Trinity Academy Lockleaze, local artist Synnøve Fredericks has designed a new music-inspired piece of public art, commissioned by Bristol City Council.
The ‘aerial steam bent ash sculpture’ has now been unveiled at the Academy, where it will be a permanent fixture.
Made from an ash tree gifted from the National Trust-owned Tyntesfield Estate (suffering from the irreversible condition of ash dieback, and necessarily felled), it was crafted by a Bristol-based team of wood millers, boat builders, lighting designers, engineers and riggers.
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Trinity Vortex workshop at Trinity Academy Lockleaze – photo: Josh Adams Jones
The project arose from an open call for local artist submissions, managed by Bricks Bristol, who also assisted in the selection process, and supported the final commission through to completion.
Fredericks trained as a designer and furniture maker, and uses sustainable materials, plants, light and sound to create sensory and welcoming spaces, installations, sets and furniture that stimulate and communicate emotion.
Photo: Josh Adams Jones
She invited the students to select a piece of music to inspire the artwork that represented their school’s inclusive ethos. In the workshops that followed, they used their chosen music – Beethoven’s 5 Secrets by the Piano Guys – as the basis for a physical shape.
The resulting wood veneer piece, suspended from the Academy’s main atrium ceiling, is a sculpture that seems to be thoroughly imbued with movement.
Trinity Vortex in situ at Trinity Academy Lockleaze – photo: Ruby Turner
“It’s been such a joy to see the collaborative creative work done by Synnøve and our amazing students lead to such a dramatic and meaningful installation,” says head teacher Eiron Bailey.
“The piece captures so much of what Trinity is about – Head, Heart, Soul, creativity, aspiration, dynamism and inspiration. I am reminded of these things every time I see it and I know it has captured the imagination of the whole community.”
Photo: Ruby Turner
Bricks is a charity devoted to helping local, creative and social enterprises within Bristol. Their focus on strong community engagement, together with a connection to a wide network of artists has earned them an influential role in strengthening public art programmes across the city.
Current public art and social infrastructure projects include collaborations with communities in Easton, St Annes (St Anne’s House), Kingswood (The Tabernacle) and Temple Meads.
Follow Trinity Academy Bristol @CST_Trinity on Twitter. For news and upcoming projects from Bricks Bristol, go to https://linktr.ee/BricksBristol.
Main photo: Josh Adams Jones
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