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LOOK AT THE NEW ARRIVALS HEADING TO THE BLUECOAT COURTYARD
The Bluecoat has unveiled some brand new , very special guests .
The Bluecoat ’ s famous courtyard will soon be getting some fun new residents when it becomes home to OK ! Cherub !, a group of new artworks by artist Bruce Asbestos . The newly commissioned work includes three giant inflatable sculptures : a yellow worm , a collection of frogspawn and a giant arm .
Each sculpture represents , and takes its name from , a different aspect of positive mental health : a giant yellow worm represents Rest , a group of green frogspawn represents Community and a giant cartoon arm represents Connection .
The sculptures add an element of larger-than-life cartoon fun to the city centre venue and invite people to think about ways in which they look after themselves and others around them . The work has been developed in response to the Bluecoat ‘ s historic building and courtyard , particularly the architectural features such as the cherubs that adorn the facade .
Inspiration for Community , the frogspawn , came from the artist ’ s lockdown walks with his young son to the local park where there was frogspawn in the pond , and finding it symbolic of collectivity and togetherness . Rest , a worm sculpture in leisurely repose , is inspired by Japanese Kokeshi Dolls , stylised wooden dolls with no arms or legs used as children ’ s toys and sold to tourists . Connection , the giant arm , is an unknown cartoon character who symbolises reaching out to connect .
Bruce Asbestos has also been working with children from two primary schools in North Liverpool , Broad Square and Leamington Community , as part of the Bluecoat ’ s Out of the Blue after school art clubs . As part of the process the children have been bringing to life their own symbols of community , self-care , love , happiness and friendship in air drying clay . Each school will host
a Jesmonite sculpture by the artist which combines the children ’ s favourite designs .
Bruce Asbestos said : ‘ I love that all the large windows in the courtyard at the Bluecoat are decorated with cherubs , there are at least 40 , which can often be overlooked . I liked that my sculptures are somehow new friends for the cherubs . As well as associations with love , cherubs are also representations of peace , prosperity , and leisure . I liked to think that this work is essentially about different forms of Love ; and that there is this sculptural conversation between my pop works and the history of Renaissance art , and the Baroque . I was also interested in making big fun sculptures that will wobble in the wind ; I like that people will enjoy having selfies with a giant relaxing yellow worm ’.
Marie-Anne McQuay , the Bluecoat ’ s Head of Programme , said : ‘ After two years of living and working through a pandemic we wanted to continue commissioning public works for our courtyard that are really fun and that would cheer people up . Bruce Asbestos effortlessly mixes everyday objects and pop culture with high art to produce his impactful and charming sculptures . His sensitive and thoughtful collaboration with Liverpool school children has also given them the experience of developing a real life public art work .’
The Bluecoat will also launch ‘ Eye of Newt ’, an interactive mobile video game by Bruce Asbestos , which has versions of the sculptures in an ever-changing digital landscape .
Bruce Asbestos ’ s work draws from a rich history of painting , sculpture , popular culture , folklore and fairy tales . His work frequently mixes everyday objects with high art , fashion , and responds to global pop culture . His interdisciplinary practice combines performance , painting , clothing , social media , video games , curating and a multitude of collaborations .
22 merseylife . com