New sculpture for Fakenham. What would you like to see?

North Norfolk sculptor Colin Miller has been commissioned to design and produce a sculpture for the entrance to the Tesco Store, Oak Street, in Fakenham.

Mr Miller, who has been sculpting since 1966 and lives and works in Blakeney, was selected by representatives of North Norfolk District Council and Fakenham Town Council. He will produce the piece not only as an entrance feature to the supermarket but also to enhance Oak Street - one of the key entrances to Fakenham town centre and within the Fakenham Conservation Area. And he will be in Fakenham on 10 April, finding out what kind of sculpture townspeople would like to see there.

In 1999 the District Council commissioned a series of public art works for the town's marketplace. The design of these contemporary pieces was inspired by the town's heritage and helped Fakenham's regeneration scheme win several awards.

It is hoped that this commission, funded by Tesco Stores Limited, will produce a piece of contemporary art which reflects the distinctive aspects of the town of Fakenham at the end of the first decade of the 21st Century.

Mr Miller said: "Public sculpture is what I love to do above all. I work in many materials, as this gives me the freedom to express my ideas. I don't create sculpture for myself but for all to enjoy. It is about exposing everyone to something visually stimulating and thought provoking, and it reaches out to the general public and they can in turn interact with it. The Fakenham sculpture would create a focal point and hopefully give pleasure to many people, both locals and visitors."

He continued: "For the people who live and work in Fakenham, it could in time hopefully become a symbol of their town.

"One of the most important things I find when undertaking a public commission is the feelings and views I get from talking to as many local people as possible. I enjoy the interaction with the general public when formulating my ideas, as sculpting is a lonely profession and the views and thoughts of others are always important."

On Thursday, 10 April, Colin will be at Oak Street between 9.30am and 1pm, collecting the views of local people. If you have ideas of what you would like to see installed on the site, come to Oak Street (opposite the Salvation Army Temple) and have your say.

Note for Editor

• For comment on the planned Fakenham sculpture, contact Councillor Hilary Nelson, Cabinet Member for the Arts, on 01263 823581.

ENDS