The Magic Roundabout

Depending where you read up about this public artwork it is either called Skelmersdale Rose or Magic Roundabout. I suspect the former is the name given by the artist Bruce Williams (in that he describes it as such on his website); whilst the latter is probably a more popular adopted name of either the work, or the maze of roundabouts that sums up the New Town of "Skem".

The artwork sits on the Railway Road ring road and was commissioned in 1999. It incorporates twelve faces of people who live in the town, and ranging from ex-miners to children. It was part of a bigger Elements project for the town funded by the Single Regeration Budget.

Two of the faces featured on the right belong to Liz and (then) 5 year old daughter Claire. It seems Liz was first approached by the artist in a local park to pose for his photographs and this commission marking the Millennium.

Anyway, it seems the project was pretty well liked by Liz and the general public, as it featured local people and didn't try to be too clever. Liz was interviewed years later for an art book and told of how proud she would be to see herself and daughter still portrayed 25 years-on. I guess 12 years on already, Claire will be about 18 or so.

The photos were actually transcribed into a lazer-cut steel latice with reflective colour backings. Project curator was Steve Chettle, a very good friend of mine.

Postscript: Listening to a brilliant interview on BBC Radio4 Today programme on 28th June about the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society. Brilliant!