Art U Need

Curatorial Artist: Bob & Roberta Smith
Artists: Lucy Harrison, Andrea Mason, Milika Muritu, Hayley Newman and Jane Wilbraham
Location: The Thames Gateway, Essex

‘Art U Need: An Outdoor Revolution’, was an ambitious programme of commissions led by artist Bob and Roberta Smith which transformed public, open spaces in the Thames Gateway Gateway South Essex area.

Working closely with the local people, drawing on their history, heritage and clulture for inspiration, Lucy Harrison, Andrea Mason, Milika Muritu, Hayley Newman and Jane Wilbraham were commissioned to create site specific works for five districts in the Thames Gateway: Castle Point, Basildon, Southend, Rochford and Thurrock.

The commissions were accompanied by a programme of education events and a seminar for artists, at which 24 Essex based artists, working with the Art U Need artists produced 'A Manifesto for the Public Realm.'

'Art U Need: My Part in the Public Art Revolution' written in diary form by Bob and Roberta Smith and published by Black Dog is available to purchase from Commissions East, Black Dog and from book sellers nationally.

For more information about the individual projects follow the links on the right.

The project was initiated by the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership, through the Investing in Communities (IiC) programme, funded by the East of England Development Agency and Arts Council England, East, and developed and managed by Commissions East.