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Friars Walk art works will commemorate Chartists

Posted on Friday 4th September 2015

 

Artist Sebastien Boyesen has created two original and striking art works for the new Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme in Newport city centre.

Commissioned by developers Queensberry Real Estate, they commemorate the Chartists and their fight for democracy in Newport 176 years ago.

The first piece is a large fret-formed piece of steel which will be intricately cut to include a Celtic pattern and flowing lines with the words of a poem by Welsh Poet Laureate Gillian Clarke.

Her work graphically documents the turbulent events of the Chartist March to Newport in November 1839 which ended in tragedy when soldiers opened fire and killed some of the crowd outside the Westgate Hotel.

The frieze will be situated within a public colonnade alongside Kingsway which will be visible to passers-by.

The six points of the People's Charter will also be engraved in the public steps that link the new John Frost Square to Usk Plaza. John Frost was one of the leaders of the Newport Uprising who were arrested and eventually deported to Australia because of their involvement.

The movement was ultimately successful and the six points of their Charter form the basis of democracy in the UK today.

Paul Sargent, Chief Executive and co-founder of Queensberry Real Estate, said: "Gillian Clarke's poem perfectly captures one of the most important events in the history of Newport and Sebastien Boysen's art work is a beautiful and fitting setting for her words.

"I believe the two new artworks are not only respectful to the Chartist movement and the history of Newport but will also further enhance the environment.

Councillor John Richards, Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment, said: "The Chartists, their struggle and their place in Newport's past are very important and I'm delighted that Queensberry Real Estate is recognising the city's heritage in this way.

"Newport has to change and evolve to be a dynamic, 21st century city for the good of all those who live, work and visit here while acknowledging and remembering the history that has shaped us.

"Sebastien Boyesen's latest works will be a fitting and appropriate tribute to the Chartists, joining the statues in Westgate Square which also commemorate that struggle by ordinary men and women to win democratic rights for all."

Sebastien Boyesen said "I am delighted to have been asked by Queensberry Real Estate to design the Chartist artwork frieze as part of the new Friars Walk development, and particularly honoured to be able to include poet Gillian Clarke's beautiful words as part of the overall work. It will create a powerful and fitting commemorative tribute to the Chartist movement, and help to ensure that Newport will never be forgotten as part of this key moment in history."

In addition to the new artwork, the statue of the water carrier bull - The Vision of Saint Gwynllys which was also created by Sebastien Boyesen - will be returned to a new location between Newport Centre and Usk Plaza.

A piece of wall from the former Friary, which once sat on the site before being demolished in the 19th century, has also been incorporated into the development.

 

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