PUBLIC ART COMMISSION.

In spring 2021 Medway Council commissioned 10 artists to produce work called ‘The Rainbow Effect’, the work was to reinforce the message of staying safe in Medway high streets as they reopen from coronavirus.

Nicola produced a large textile hanging that toured small shopping centres in Lordswood and Walderslade.

As part of her research she was ‘virtual artist in residence’ at Swingate Primary School, Lordswood, sending ‘pupils of key workers’ a series of videos from her studio about the commission and what it is like to be an artist. Pupils were asked for their ideas on shopping safely during the pandemic and they sent Nicola  drawings and writing for the textile hanging.

The textile features the school logo ‘squirrels and trees’ in a woodland scene, the squirrels and hedgehogs are shopping safely, wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands, there are  signs reminding shoppers to be kind and respectful, with arrows leading through the trees to a sunny ‘glimmer of hope’.

The wall hanging is hand sewn, using recycled materials and pupils drawings printed on fabric.

A big thank you to the staff and pupils at Swingate Primary School and the Medway shops that exhibited the hanging in their windows during the pandemic.

Following the end of Lockdown the hanging toured Rochester Visitors centre, Woodville Halls NHS vaccine centre and is now permanently exhibited at Swingate Primary school.