If you've walked towards the new college building, chances are you've noticed the 8x25m public art display stretching across its glass-fronted entrance.

Entitled 'wild blue yonder', the work was designed for us by artist Nicky Hirst.

 

Mirrors into windows

The concept appears as 89 glass panels: each is half-filled with a different colour; the other half displays text naming another unrelated crayon colour.

The text is only legible from inside.

'wild blue yonder' brings bright contrast to Church Road's white facade.

Light coming into the entrance hall will be coloured as if pouring through stained glass.

 

Colour and education

Nicky explains her idea for the project:

"I kept returning to the quote 'the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows', and to abstract notions of choice, selections and options - a palette.

"This work explores our thoughts and associations - do people hear the same things and see the same colours? It's a work 'about' the choices we make in life and the memories of some of our first choices."

 

Be enlightened

We hope the abstract display will inspire our students to question and discuss the work.

"The project illustrates a simple concept - 'if you want to be enlightened, come inside'", says Lorraine Zutshi, Senior Art Lecturer.

"The effects of the changing weather through the glass will create changing colours; the experience will be different for everyone - just like education."

About the artist

 

 

Nicky Hirst

Nicky has lots of experience creating public art and has collaborated with architects on several projects for new buildings.

Recently she was the lead artist for the public art in the new Biochemistry Building for the University of Oxford. The project, ‘Salt Bridges’, included the work of several other artists as well as work by Nicky. 

Nicky has had solo and group shows in galleries around the UK and her work is in many collections.

Nicky Hirst's website