Public Art Commissions
Columbine Mural
East Cowes
April - July 2024
Opening and unveiling September 2024
The project was delivered using public funding from Arts Council England’s National Lottery grant with additional support from Forestry England and the Isle of Wight Council.
Selected by lead artist Alice Malia as part of a team of eight local island artists facilitating the creation the large scale mural on the landmark Columbine Building in East Cowes.
The mural, measuring 12 metres high and 65 metres long, celebrates some of the Isle of Wight’s unique heritage and its recent environmental achievements, particularly the successful reintroduction of the White-tailed Eagle. The prominent 8-metre high painted eagle is visible from across the river Medina. Below it, the mural illustrates the hidden seagrass meadows of the Solent, an important underwater breeding habitat for some of its key prey, fish, and cuttlefish.
Spanning the rest of the building in tonal blues, the mural narrates a story of innovation through the last century, presented alongside the natural local habitat we all share. The art seeks to celebrate and uphold the skill, workmanship, and invention that made East Cowes the site of three incredible flying machines: the Princess Seaplane, the Black Arrow Rocket, and the Hovercraft.
Laura worked closely within a dedicated team on this ambitious project over a three month period, to transform the building's façade into a vibrant historical and ecological narrative. The creation process was carefully planned and executed in sections to ensure accuracy and coherence. The team began by meticulously marking up the wall, mapping out and drawing the intricate design to serve as a guide for the subsequent stages all whilst scaling up four flights of scaffolding to reach the extensive wall.
Once the layout was finalized, the next phase involved color blocking, where broad swathes of vibrant hues were applied to establish the foundational elements of the mural. This stage required a lot of precision to ensure that the colours aligned with the mapped design. After the colour blocking was complete, the teams keen eye for detail were crucial in adding the final touches. They layered details onto the mural, bringing depth and life to the artwork with each deliberate stroke. This meticulous attention to detail transformed the mural from a series of colored blocks into a cohesive, dynamic piece that resonated with the community.
Ross Edmunds, Area Regeneration Manager for Cowes and East Cowes said: “This piece of artwork is in recognition of the successful Sea Eagle release programme on the Isle of Wight. It will also serve to recognise the hard-working people (past and present), who have worked and still work in the Columbine building, to produce internationally significant innovation”.
Speaking about the project, lead artist Alice Malia said: “I’m passionate about the natural world and living as we do in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, this public piece of art fuses our community’s rich history with its commitment to environmental conservation, providing a beacon of cultural and natural pride for the Isle of Wight.”
St Mary’s Hospital Sensory Garden
Newport
January - August 2024
Officially opened 31st August
The project was delivered using public funding from Arts Council England as part of Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme. In addition the Isle of Wight Rotary Club raised additional funds alongside private donors.
Commissioned by Artswork in partnership with St Mary’s Hospital, a collaborative project was undertaken with young people from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Youth Forum to design and create a sensory garden space in the children’s ward of the hospital. This initiative is part of the Young Cultural Changemakers Programme, which empowers young people across the southeast to lead significant creative projects in their local areas, transforming their lives and those of their communities.
The primary goal of this commission was to co-create a multi-functional garden space for young people aged 11+ who are patients or visitors in the Children’s Ward at St Mary’s Hospital. This project aimed to provide a relaxing and fun environment tailored to the needs and desires of its young users and their families. The Youth Forum expressed a desire for a garden that serves multiple purposes: a quiet retreat, a social space, and a place for playful activities.
Accessibility was a key consideration, ensuring that the garden accommodates users with mobility aids, including power wheelchairs. The aesthetic vision for the garden emphasised a natural, calming, and clutter-free environment.
Throughout the project, Laura worked closely with the Youth Trust Forum through a series of workshops. The young participants engaged in drawing, collage-making, and painting activities to develop designs for the garden's mural. Laura provided guidance and support, helping the group translate their creative ideas into tangible designs inspired by natural forms.
Laura collaborated with local craftspeople and charities to bring the group's ideas to life. The young participants, under Laura's guidance, not only contributed to the mural painting but also engaged in hands-on projects such as weaving a willow den with local woodsman James Bradbury of Jims Woodcraft. James crafted bespoke wooden benches from local timber sourced from the woodlands he manages, adding unique and interesting elements to the garden.
Additionally, Laura facilitated a partnership with Care in the Garden, a local charity that supports adults with learning difficulties. Together, they created bespoke plant containers on wheels, enhancing the garden's functionality and accessibility. They also constructed a shed with a living roof to house gardening activities and supplies. This collaborative effort not only brought the group's creative vision to fruition but also fostered a sense of community and inclusivity.
This sensory garden project not only transformed a neglected outdoor space into a welcoming area but also empowered young people to take an active role in shaping their environment. The collaborative effort fostered a sense of ownership and pride among the participants, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing space that caters to the diverse needs of its young users, their families, carers and staff.
Comments from the official opening:
“Looks really lovely and feels calm, relaxing and refreshing. I feel it will be very helpful for the children."
“A very relaxing space that can be enjoyed by many patients, family and staff members, it’s so pretty we all really Love IT”.
“Feels very relaxing here. Not like a hospital at all. Really Beautiful”.
“This is a very happy space. Kind and uplifting. So many people have made this a very special place”.
“What a wonderful and relaxing space. The collaborative approach is very apparent. Well done everyone”.
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Dr Emma Blake, Consultant Child Mental Health and General Paediatrician who has worked at St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight since 2013. Chair of the Isle of Wight NHS Youth Forum since its introduction three years ago.
Initial Engagement
At our “Dragons’ Den” event (end of 2023) Laura established an excellent rapport with the children and young people in our Youth Forum. She engaged their interest early and brought a beautiful portfolio of visually stunning ideas and props – including plant cuttings and colour suggestions. What made her stand out was how she had really thought about the Young People’s own ideas and then had developed them further (rather than just giving us her own ideas). This made the young people feel respected, heard and important. She then gave a presentation which captured their interest and imagination.
Co-Production
Laura was committed to this project and dedicated many hours to both developing the young people’s ideas and designs and getting the project done.
She held sessions in the evenings and at weekends so the young people could attend. She gave them structured projects (eg abstract plant designs and colour experiments) so that the project could (metaphorically and literally) grow organically.
She encouraged all the young people – and got a lot out of those that are usually quieter and more reserved.
She was always calm and encouraging and had a good sense of humour during the challenges (think terrible weather!!)
Artist Development
Laura is clearly a skilled artist and carried the young people with her on the journey of transforming the Childrens Ward garden. She created a beautiful space with the young people that took into consideration young people with neurodiversity, sensory processing issues and those in mental health crisis. A beautiful, relaxing therapeutic space has been created that now patients, families and staff can enjoy. Laura listened to our young people and took note of the need to make a sustainable space that is good for the environment. This included a shed with a living roof, and a vertical garden.
Project Management
Laura project managed the Garden transformation and worked closely with a number of people that included: Peta Rainford (Artswork), Becky Hepworth (Childrens Ward Matron), staff of Childrens ward, Estates Team, Rotary Club and of course the young people and other helpers.
Laura was always mindful that the space was a functioning Childrens Ward and the safety, safeguarding and security implications of that.
Feedback from Young People
I have had feedback from many young people (and other helpers) that they have really enjoyed working with Laura on this project over the last 8 months. She has made it fun and creative, listened to others’ ideas and found a collaborative, consensus way forward.
Although only recently opened our adolescent patients and their families have loved chilling out in the garden.
Summary
Laura has been a pleasure to work with on this project.
It is artistically beautiful but also a well-designed therapeutic space for very vulnerable young patients.
She has worked hard to make sure the project was co-produced with young people (and staff) from the very beginning giving everyone a sense of ownership and shared success on its creation.
I would be happy to recommend Laura to work with a project with young people in the future and hope she maintains the links with the Isle of Wight NHS Youth Forum.
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Becky Hepworth, Matron for children and young people St Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight.
Laura has shown great enthusiasm for the Children's ward garden project right from the beginning. She won the IOW NHS Youth Forum over at the initial Dragon's Den by engaging with them and truly listening to their ideas. she continued to work alongside the young people throughout the project and truly made it all about them. She has also worked well with the team on the ward, and been respectful and mindful of the environment she has been working.
Laura worked so hard to ensure that it was the voice of the young person leading the project. She was very clever in offering ideas but really listened to their opinions and allowed them to truly make their ideas come to life. She encouraged them to be creative without prejudice and really supported the quieter members of the youth forum to have their voices heard and to take an active part.
I was very grateful of Laura's creative expertise and her ability to compromise and find solutions when needed. She worked in all weathers and ensured that workshops and creative times did not interfere with the young people's schooling.
Laura has led the team and created a beautiful environment for the older children that visit the ward. It is peaceful, comfortable and allows 'time out' from the busy, stressful environment of the ward. It is just what the Isle of Wight NHS Youth Forum envisaged and it is great to see young people enjoying the space.
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Peta Rainford, Artswork’s placemaking creative producer for the Isle of Wight, Gosport and Havant. Facilitating the ‘Young Cultural Change Makers’ and ‘Supporting Young Minds’ programme .
I love working with Laura. There is quality and integrity in everything she does. She has been a fantastic collaborator in the youth-led projects we have worked on, being genuinely willing to listen to young people and allow creative freedom, whilst remaining true to her own practice. With her gentle approach, she creates a safe space for creative expression which supports the wellbeing of all those involved.
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Project Responses
Abigail Metcalfe, IW NHS Youth Forum Chair said: “This was an incredibly important project for the Youth Forum. Knowing the positive impact an outdoor space would have on Children's Ward, and the importance of youth voice in projects such as these, we were determined to make the garden the best it could be. We couldn’t be happier with how the space turned out and feel privileged to have played such a big part in a project that we hope will bring laughter, joy, relaxation and calm to all those on the Children’s Ward for many years to come.”
The Isle of Wight Rotary has supported the Children’s Ward garden since 2009, when it was originally refurbished in memory of James Sparks, a patient who sadly died on the ward.
Peta Rainford, Artswork Placemaking Creative Producer for the Isle of Wight said: “Artswork is dedicated to empowering young people through creativity. The project was very much youth-led and directed by the Forum, though supported by Children's Ward staff. We put out an open call for artists and through a selection process, much like Dragons' Den, members of the IW NHS Youth Forum had the opportunity to choose their designer, as it was their project. The young people were incredibly thoughtful, considering the specific needs of young people, being mindful of diversity, and carefully selecting plants with attention to their pollen count. I’m incredibly proud of this project as it was led by young people and achieved fantastic results.”
Becky Hepworth, Children’s Ward Matron said: “Outside space is very important for wellbeing and can bring a feeling of calmness during stressful times, particularly for young people in mental health crisis who are admitted to Children’s Ward. Having an outside space that offers an escape from the clinical area will undoubtably have a positive impact on them and enhance their care.
“We are hugely grateful for everyone’s support, we simply couldn’t have done it without them. The IW NHS Youth Forum brought our vision to life, working evenings and weekends, designing, painting and creating a space that represented what young people would want.
“We now have a garden that is being used every day by patients on the ward and it is making a real difference to their stay. Wheelchair users and patients who are needing to be cared for in their beds will be able to have easy access to the garden which is just wonderful.”
Rob Adams, Assistant District Governor for the Isle of Wight Rotary said: “The original Children’s Ward garden was created many years ago by the Vectis Sunrise Rotary Club and we wanted to help revitalise the garden so we began fundraising in November 2023, with support from grants provided by WightAid, Rotary District, contributions from all the Rotary clubs on the island and additional donations from local businesses and individuals. This newly transformed garden will offer patients a pleasant outdoor space that they can enjoy at any time.”
Artswork is a national charity which empowers children through arts and culture. Thanks to its support, and the involvement of other partners including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the garden now has beautiful nature-inspired artwork on the walls, planting in moveable planters, comfortable seating, a willow wigwam, bird boxes and a growing wall. It also incorporates an area that is dedicated to James' memory that will have a QR code that leads visitors to his story.
Laura Hathaway said: "It was such a pleasure to work with and facilitate the ideas of the incredible young people from the NHS Youth Forum on this project. From the very start, their enthusiasm and creativity shone through, and it was a privilege to collaborate and help bring their vision to life. Every brushstroke and design element reflects the thoughtfulness and creativity of these young people, who were dedicated to creating a space that brings comfort and joy to all who visit the garden. This space we have created is not just a testament to their hard work, but also a symbol of what can be achieved when young voices are empowered to lead."
Little London AONB Mural
Newport
May - August 2023
The project was delivered using funding from The Isle of Wight National Landscape in partnership with Independent Arts, an extension of an existing programme: Supporting Young Minds.
Expanding the Supporting Young Minds programme the project provided young people with the unique opportunity to create art, inspired by the Island's natural landscape, resulting in a collaborative mural in Newport.
The project began with an inspirational visit to the diverse landscape of the Isle of Wight Heritage Coast.The group were taken by bus from Newport to Compton Bay, although only 10 miles away some of the young people were unaware this part of the landscape was accessible by public transport. Participants immersed themselves in the bay, creating pigments from natural materials like clay, mud, and vegetation which they used for mark making and image creation. The group were asked for words which expressed how they felt whilst creating art in Compton Bay, they said ‘Inspired, Relaxing, Peaceful, Happy, Calm’.
Back at Independent Arts’ Creative Hub, Laura guided the young people in planning and painting the mural. They researched local marine and wildlife habitats and were fully involved in every step of the creative process. The young people had complete creative freedom, all with varying styles, skills, and techniques. The uniform look was achieved by using black paint on a white wall and by interspersing their artworks. They also added to each other’s work, creating movement and a joyous flow.
An unexpected outcome of working on the mural in an urban car park was the group's newfound appreciation for local nature, observing butterflies, ducks, and a hummingbird hawkmoth.
Unveiled in September 2023 the mural is now a permanent fixture in Newport, celebrating the Island’s coastal beauty in an urban area. It also extends a trail of black-and-white artworks created by Laura and the young people as part of the Artswork investment programme, Supporting Young Minds, with additional permanent pieces at Newport Bus Station and Chain Lane and ephemeral murals in the former Top Shop building and the soon to be developed Stainless Games.
Richard Grogan from the Isle of Wight AONB expressed his hopes for the programme, stating, “In a time of heightened anxiety among young people about their future, we hope the IWAONB can help them relax and take stock of their experiences, externalizing those thoughts and feelings as inspiration for public art that may help others.”
Mural Trail
Newport
Whadham’s Building Window
Stainless Games Window
Newport Bus Station
Chain Lane
November 2022 - April 2023
The project was delivered using funding from Arts Council England, Artswork and IW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Partners also included Isle of Wight Youth Trust, Community Action Isle of Wight, Energise Me and Isle of Wight Council.
It was a part of Artswork’s Supporting Young Minds investment programme – five linked projects taking place across the South East that aimed to model best practice in the use of creativity to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The project challenged young people, aged 12-18, to create ‘place-changing’ public artworks that connected with other young people, as well as the wider community, encouraging them to get outside, be more physically active and engage with the Isle of Wight Biosphere. The young people themselves had to decide how they would meet this challenge; the spaces they would like to change, the type of art they would like to create.
A call-out to artists was made for each project and the three who were shortlisted were invited to pitch at a dragons’ den where the young people got to decide which artist they wanted to work with.
The young people identified neglected and unwelcoming spaces in the town – such as empty shop windows, alleyways and the bus station – and appointed Laura to help them transform them with an art trail around Newport.
The project began guided by Laura, exploring natural forms found in Newport town centre. They went for walks in green spaces, collected natural objects and used them as the basis for drawing, mark-making, cyanotypes, rubbings, stencil making and print making. They then used the shapes and forms they had developed through several weeks of workshops into organic designs that developed further in their place based artwork.
One of the great successes of this project has been the support of the local community. The first business owner to come forward was architect Sarah Chatwin who offered the group the windows in the four storey Wadham’s building overlooking St James’ Square Newport. They transformed it with glorious monochrome posca pen decoration inspired by the natural forms they found. They have done the same in the shop window owned by Stainless Games on Newport High Street.
The group were also offered a large wall wrapping around the town centres main bus station by Southern Vectis, the group created a striking painted mural featuring stylised flora and fauna.
Alongside the mural art trail curated by Laura with the help of the young people, the groups explorative work was displayed in a collective exhibition at the Independent Arts Hub. This exhibition encompassed the three 'Supporting Young Minds' projects across the Island and showcased the amazing work and achievements of the young people, their artist facilitators, and professional partners.
Working closely with a few young people over an extended period has been transformative, boosting their confidence, reducing social isolation, fostering friendships, and developing creative skills for potential future careers. Initially shy participants, who wouldn't make eye contact, were engaging with strangers by the end and felt a deeper connection to Newport and their community.
The artwork that has been produced by this project, reflects the ambition of the young people to genuinely change the places they live, whether through film, an art trail, music or some other form of public art, they want the towns on the Isle of Wight to be better places for young people to live.
Parent of participant: “They are really enjoying the project. It is particularly wonderful as she had to be taken out of mainstream schooling last year due to extreme social anxiety issues and is now part of an online school. She talks a lot about how much she enjoys the project and has even managed to attend a few times by herself without her sister. (This was an amazing achievement for her!)”
Rosie Smith, Newport Youth Panel: “It’s wonderful to be involved in this project that’s transformed how I view Newport.”
Laura Hathaway, artist: “Over the course of this supported project, through the exploration of nature, being outside and creativity I have watched our group of young people grow in so many ways. The process has been organic; creatively their own unique styles have emerged alongside their characters and a huge growth in confidence has occurred week by week. The group have not only succeeded in creating their intended arts trail but have also forged bonds with each other which go beyond our weekly session. It has been an absolute pleasure facilitating this growth but also watching it naturally unfold."
Co-op Square Mural
Ryde
June - July 2022
The project was delivered using funding from Arts Council England Jubilee Fund and the Isle of Wight and Hampshire Trust.
The project "No Ball Games" is a unique artistic initiative commissioned by the Ryde Business Association, Ryde Arts, and the Heritage Action Zone. This community-centric art project, spearheaded by the artist Laura, was born from a deep appreciation of the rich architectural heritage of Ryde, a town known for its historical and aesthetic significance. The inspiration for this project came from a public response, emphasizing the importance of local architecture and the often-overlooked details that contribute to the town's unique character.
During the Ryde Jubilee celebrations, Laura engaged with the community in an interactive exploration of the town. She invited residents and visitors to closely observe their surroundings, particularly in the heritage zone along Ryde high street. Participants were encouraged to take rubbings from a variety of textures they discovered, including the intricate designs of drain covers, the distinct patterns of brickwork, the colorful tiles, historical signage, and ornate stone carvings. This activity not only heightened awareness of the town's architectural features but also fostered a deeper connection between the community and their environment.
Using these collected textures and marks, Laura created a series of stencils and incorporated freehand mark-making techniques. These elements were then integrated into a large-scale mural, transforming a wall in the heart of Ryde into a vibrant canvas. Laura approached the wall as if it were a piece of fabric, allowing the patterns and forms to organically emerge and interweave, creating a cohesive and dynamic composition. This method mirrored the organic growth and layering seen in the town's architecture, reflecting a blend of historical and contemporary elements.
The resulting artwork serves multiple purposes. It is a visual celebration of the community's involvement, as the patterns used in the mural are directly inspired by the marks made by local residents. This not only makes the artwork personally meaningful to the community but also imbues the space with a sense of collective ownership and pride. Moreover, the mural acts as a catalyst for urban regeneration, revitalizing a communal area in Ryde. The vibrant and joyful nature of the artwork aims to create a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging people to gather, relax, and enjoy the space. Laura's hope is that this artwork will inspire a renewed sense of pride and joy in the local heritage, making the community feel more connected to their town and to each other.
In 2024 ‘No Ball Games’ became part of the Ryde Arts Trail. Curated by Community Murals, this was made possible through the generous funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the support of both Ryde Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council.
The trail invites you to explore nine public artworks, connected by a two mile walking trail around the town. Navigating the trail is easy and accessible with the integration of QR codes linking to the what3words app. The platform provides precise locations for each installation and detailed information about the artist and the inspiration and stories behind the artworks.
Alison Pearce, Community Development Officer: “This project was funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and underscores the commitment to bring our community together through the power of creativity. Through collaborative efforts and inclusive projects like the Ryde Arts Trail, we aim to strengthen the vibrancy of our town.”
Disorder II
Ryde
September 2017
The project was delivered using funding from Arts Council England.
Disorder II was an immersive installation piece created in 2017, commissioned by artist Jo Hummel-Newell and Ryde Arts as part of a larger initiative to foster local artistic expression. The installation was developed in response to "IM IN THE GARDEN," an exhibition and curatorial project by Jo Hummel-Newell that received support from Arts Council England. This backdrop provided a rich context for "Disorder II," situating it within a broader exploration of contemporary art and community engagement.
Disorder II offered the artist, Laura, a unique opportunity to explore the dynamics of space and form. The installation was crafted within a 360-degree environment, enabling her to engage with the medium from differing heights and angles. Laura worked intuitively, applying painterly marks, flecks, and splodges both on the interior and exterior surfaces of the transparent structure. This process was not merely about the application of paint but was an exercise in spatial awareness and balance. She carefully considered how each mark interacted with others, striving to create a harmonious yet chaotic visual experience that encapsulated the essence of "disorder."
The installation was further enhanced by the use of LED string lights, which illuminated the work and brought it to life, especially during nighttime displays. These lights accentuated the vibrant colors and textures of the piece, adding a dynamic, shimmering quality that heightened the sensory experience for viewers.
A unique aspect of "Disorder II" was its participation in the Ryde Illuminated Carnival. As the installation moved through the streets, it became a part of a live, moving tapestry, interacting with the public in an untraditional gallery setting. The carnival environment, known for its lively and vibrant atmosphere, added another layer of meaning and engagement to the artwork. The juxtaposition of the structured yet chaotic installation against the backdrop of carnival lights and the festive crowd's energy amplified the piece's thematic exploration of disorder and chaos.
The public and carnival participants, as they passed by, contributed to the artwork's evolving narrative. Their reactions—ranging from intrigue to bewilderment—were an integral part of the installation's experience. This interaction highlighted the unpredictable nature of public art and the diverse interpretations it can provoke, further enriching the conceptual framework of "Disorder II." The installation not only stood as a static piece of art but transformed into a dynamic, participatory experience, challenging viewers to contemplate the interplay between order and chaos, both in art and life.
