Crochet Artist Steals Olympic Crown
Listed under: News
Published: Friday, October 23, 2009
A Leicestershire-based artist has been awarded a £500,000 commission for one of the largest art projects taking place at the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Shauna Richardson – whose collection will feature three 30 foot hand-crocheted lions – was shortlisted from a selection of 118 contestants, and is expected to be one of the biggest attractions at the show.
The project – Lionheart – will invite visitors to take part in every stage of the production process, including everything from viewing the creation of the lions via webcam, to visiting the studio mid-process and interacting with the completed installation. The work is expected to take up to two years to finalise.
Commenting on her selection, she says, “The opportunity created by Artists Taking the Lead is extraordinary. This is a truly exciting invitation to think big and create something spectacular that will celebrate our heritage and put each region and nation squarely on the map.”
Peter Knott, director of arts and development at the Arts Council, adds, “We considered Lionheart to be the best proposal as it is unique and on a grand scale. This monumental work will be striking and engaging. Its sheer audacity as an object of art will make it stand out and create considerable interest. It will celebrate the region’s cultural, industrial and historical heritage while inspiring thoughts about our relationship with other nations and cultures – thereby meeting Olympic ideals.”
The winning commissions were selected by an independent panel of artists and producers, including, painter, curator and professor of fine art at Nottingham Trent University Terry Shave, artist and film maker Jeanie Finlay, and creative programmer for the East Midlands Paul Brookes.
Shauna Richardson – whose collection will feature three 30 foot hand-crocheted lions – was shortlisted from a selection of 118 contestants, and is expected to be one of the biggest attractions at the show.
The project – Lionheart – will invite visitors to take part in every stage of the production process, including everything from viewing the creation of the lions via webcam, to visiting the studio mid-process and interacting with the completed installation. The work is expected to take up to two years to finalise.
Commenting on her selection, she says, “The opportunity created by Artists Taking the Lead is extraordinary. This is a truly exciting invitation to think big and create something spectacular that will celebrate our heritage and put each region and nation squarely on the map.”
Peter Knott, director of arts and development at the Arts Council, adds, “We considered Lionheart to be the best proposal as it is unique and on a grand scale. This monumental work will be striking and engaging. Its sheer audacity as an object of art will make it stand out and create considerable interest. It will celebrate the region’s cultural, industrial and historical heritage while inspiring thoughts about our relationship with other nations and cultures – thereby meeting Olympic ideals.”
The winning commissions were selected by an independent panel of artists and producers, including, painter, curator and professor of fine art at Nottingham Trent University Terry Shave, artist and film maker Jeanie Finlay, and creative programmer for the East Midlands Paul Brookes.
If that picture is anything to go by, this could be a really interesting project! The lion looks great!