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Bullring Birmingham Public Art & Landscaping

Free Form Arts Trust was appointed as public art consultants and lead artists for Bishops Square, Spitalfields by Hammerson Plc and Spitalfields Development Group. The £500,000 Bishops Square Public Art Programme has helped towards completion of a 17-year regeneration of the local area.

As public art consultants Free Form has explored opportunities for a three year sculpture programme and floorscape artworks: fibre optic lighting installation and a Museum without Walls (heritage objects in custom-built display cases).

The public art programme entitled 'Umbra Sumus' (We are shadows) is taken from the inscription on the side of the mosque in Fournier Street. The mosque was once a Jewish Synagogue, a Huguenot Church and a Presbyterian Church. 'Umbra Sumus' signifies Spitalfields rich and diverse cultural landscape.





Floorscape Artworks
Illuminated Artefacts - A museum without walls

12 illuminated artefacts have been installed in the floorscape, revealing a slice of the history and archaeology in Spitalfields contemporary landscape:

  • An Oyster Shell cast in lead from Roman sarcophagus mould
  • Roman Samian Ware
  • Cattle Horn
  • Medieval floor tiles
  • Medieval masonry
  • Ceramic costrel jar
  • Delft wall tile c.1700
  • 18th Century glass perfume jar
  • Artillery lead shot
  • 18th /19th Century clay pipes
  • 20th Century porter's badge
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    3 Year Sculpture Programme

    The first of a three year programme of temporary public art installations, events and exhibitions. A number of permanent works have been commissioned throughout the site and some are still in planning stage. These works include floorscape installations by Free Form, Artisan Gates by Redhouse, engraved flooring by local schools and the proposed installation of the Pulpit Cross. The Eight temporary site-specific works in display until June 2006 have been curated by Dickson Russell Art Management.

    For more information, please click here (PDF).

    Sculpture Programme Curators: Dickson Russell Art Management
    Sculpture Programme Official Launch Date - 6 October 2005



    Fibre Optic Lighting Installation

    Designated seating and performance space is illuminated using fibre optic lighting. An inner and outer circle of 48 recycled glass inlaid roundels is lit by fibre optics and linked to a colour wheel, which slowly changes from blue to green.