Title:
Steel Sculpture – Waterfront
Park
Date:
1992
Artist:
Denys Short.
Location:
Cardiff Bay
Background:
Grosvenor wanted a rapid and
complete transformation of a derelict site into an attractive and popular public
park. It was especially important as the first tangible evidence of renewal on
their 175 acre land holding. CBAT demonstrated how an imaginative public art
programme could make a dramatic difference to the impact of the scheme on local
people, tourists and potential investors in the Bay.
Commission:
Denys Short, an artist based
in West Wales, was commissioned to create a sculpture i polished stainless
steel. The sculpture is positioned at the far end of the site and refects the
sea and sky changing a every viewing. It has a practical purpose in concealing
and protecting the hydraulic equipment for the Roath Basin Lock. It is also
great fun as its many angled surface reflects the viewer in many distorted
images. The process of artists working on the site throughout hte summer months
had allowed for a great deal of contact with local people. There is a definite
sense of increased pride in the area.