A HARTHILL artist has been chosen to create a heritage inspired public art piece to celebrate the history of Salford Quays.
Stephen Broadbent, who runs the community art company Broadbent Artists, Designers, Makers at Droppingstone Farm, New Lane, has been selected by the arts centre, The Lowry, as one of five artists to create a piece of public art for Unlocking Salford a Heritage Lottery funded project. It seeks to unearth the industrial and social history of Salford Quays, resulting in a living archive and Stephen’s piece will be part of a trail which depicts different aspects of the heritage of Salford Quays.
Stephen’s artwork will focus on the lives of the dock workers and the nature of their employment.
He said: “It is very exciting to be chosen to do this project. We are focusing on the life of the casual worker. The one who would turn up to the docks and would not know whether they would get work.”
Stephen added: “The piece is based on the dock workers’ union card, which was needed to gain employment, and stamped to receive minimal benefits if no work is available.
“Each of the sculptural union cards is personalised through the addition of a glass disc set within a circular punched hole in the steel. This could represent the stamping of the card, but also allows the glass to be screen-printed with a portrait and name of an actual Salford dock worker.”
To research the artwork Stephen has been to visit the ex-workers group in Salford to talk to them about being a dock worker.
It will be on display at Salford Quays in October.
Stephen’s company has undertaken numerous projects in Chester he created the Celebration of Chester which is outside the Town Hall and The Water of Life which is in the Cloister Garth in Chester Cathedral.
