Since its inception in the 1960s, Milton Keynes has collected and commissioned highly accomplished and celebrated artists. The city is home to Elisabeth Frink’s ‘Black Horse’, Bernard Schottlander’s ‘3B Series No 5’ 1966-8 and Wendy Taylor’s ‘Octo’ 1980.
Public Art
Public Art
Early Years Public Art Development
Octo by Wendy Taylor (1980) One of three artwork by Wendy Taylor in the collection. A twisted metal strip set in a reflective pool by Norfolk House in Central Milton Keynes.
Artists were also regularly commissioned to work with and alongside communities and schools to make works in collaboration. Artist’s such as Liz Leyh whose infamous and much loved ‘Concrete Cows’ (1978) became an unofficial mascot of MK and Bill Billings’ ‘Triceratops’ (1979) combined community engagement with production.
Concrete Cows by Liz Leyh (1978) One of a number of artworks in Milton Keynes created by the artist working with the community. The cows can be seen at Bancroft Park or MK Museum.
Public Art has and continues to play an important role in forming and communicating MK’s new town identity and has sought to create a new relationship between art object, context and people, ultimately contributing to a unique sense of place.
More Recent Public Art Development
Milton Keynes Council has recently developed a new approach to commissioning public artworks. A greater emphasis on process, community engagement and participation, alongside a willingness to embrace the temporary and ephemeral, alongside permanent works has led to some ambitious and innovative new works. A recent example of this is ‘A Festival of Creative Urban Living’ (2019) by raumlaborberlin which sought to engage the community in a conversation about the design and future development of the city centre through the creation of temporary structures and a programme of talks, activities and events
A Festival of Creative Urban Living by raumlaborberlin, (2019)Courtesy Milton Keynes Council and Andy Stagg.
In Fairfields and Whitehouse we are commissioning a series of artworks that reflect people and place for current and future residents. The Public Art Plan sets out the ambitions of the scheme, however, it will be the artists engagements with the community which will directly inform what is created and delivered.
An important part of this process is for the community to get involved and if you would like to find out more and take part sign up in the form below, to receive updates.
Top image: Alphonso by Sarah Staton (2021)
A three-sided brick structure on the top of Little Callow Mound in Newton Leys, inspired by the heritage of the area, particularly the former brickworks. ‘The blue and white tiles are hand-painted by Sarah and depict the local area, its wildlife and history.