Details of Pierhead Railings from the Cywaith Cymru

Cywaith Cymru Artworks wales - the national organisation for public art in Wales

	Pierhead Railings
	artist(s):	Steve Joyce
	location	Ystrad Mynach [south Wales]
	completed	October 2000
		The Pierhead Building and the road junction in front of it marks a key point of arrival in the town of Ystrad Mynach. The raised pavement around the Pierhead Building required railings for pedestrian safety and an imaginative design was needed which would complement the overall enhancement scheme in the town centre part funded by Arts Council of Wales Arts Lottery funding.
		When selected for the commission sculptor Steve Joyce was based at Berllanderi Sculpture Workshops in Usk, Monmouthshire. The design incorporated 18 panels that displayed various objects that can be found in the surrounding shops and buildings adjacent to the site. The aim of the design was to have a public artwork that does not immediately appear to be a railing even though it would fulfil this function. All the 18 panels, in welded and profiled cut plate steel are different, acting as a kind of humerous puzzle to the goods and services found in the area with the elements ‘fixed’ within the panels as parts of a packaged plastic kit.
		Having originally followed an engineering course Steve Joyce studied for his BA in Fine Art at UWE Bristol. Since graduating in 1981 he has worked as an artist in residence and lecturer in south Wales as well as south west England and has undertaken many public commissions, mostly in the Bristol area. The work, completed in 2000 can be seen at the junction of Bedwlwyn Road and the High Street immediately in front of the Pierhead Building in Ystrad Mynach Cywaith Cymru . Artworks Wales managed the project on behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council. As the national organisation for public art in Wales Cywaith Cymru works closely with clients, advising on the selection of appropriate sites and managing the whole commission process from the selection of artists, preparing contracts and overseeing the programme of work. More information and other documentation Word document: No Word document is available PDF File: No PDF file is available Video clip: No video clip is available

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