The three panels between the Plaza and Erftstadt Court were identified in late 2021 as locations that would benefit from the potential installation of Public Art to uplift the space and help to deter graffiti. In order to give the opportunity to as many local artists as possible it was decided to commission paintings and recreate them as weatherproof and UV/Graffiti resistant panels.
Artist Calina Lefter was chosen for her use of semi-abstraction, bold use of colour, textured painterly style and experience depicting the natural world. The Arts and Culture Committee requested art that considered nature, sustainability and touched on the location of the reproductions. The Committee encouraged Calina to use her artistic style and ask questions of them to formulate the final artworks. Artworks that not only pick up on those broad considerations, but also have a root of community working through them. From the community built within the Twinning movement to the way in which we are a community with nature.
“Hope”
Takes the coat of arms of Erftstadt and reimagines it as a tree filled with light, with deep roots. A hopeful symbol and one that embraces the concept of a Tree of Life and a community in itself.
“Home”
A pastoral scene, finding aspects of a small town or village surrounded by green fields and natural features. A murmuration of birds form the title of the piece in the sky.
“Heimat”
The German word for home, tying us back to Erftstadt and the concept of community. A handful of birds feature, making a connection to ‘Home’. Reciprocally the water in Home is featured more prominently here in ‘Heimat’ (Erftstadt being the Town on the river Erft). You will find the title of the artwork in the ripples of the water.
Many thanks also go to Richard Young of R Young Art Gallery who advised throughout the process, and scanned and got the paintings reproduced.