The Arc
2026, UK
Artist's Impression
A public sculpture for Wokingham Borough
Stainless Steel
Permanent public artwork, approx 6m x 7m x 3m
Nicola Anthony Studios has been commissioned to build a large public sculpture in the UK on the subject of people, places, words, and how we connect to the spaces and places we live in.
The Arc will be a monumental, sculptural poem: it’s playful form swirling organically overhead, rising from the ground and appearing differently from all angles. Engaging both mind and senses, words will be projected via silhouettes, shadows and light refractions during the day, further enhanced by lighting at night, enabling this sculpture to dynamically expand into the surrounding space.
The words which come together to make this poem will be sourced from the community in story-telling, meditation, and sharing sessions with the artist. The subject is: ‘Experience each moment’, focusing on a sense of wellbeing and finding moments of joy.
Nicola says: “Through guided observational sessions I have begun to gather words, sentences, sentiments from people. This is then edited into an abstract poem, which will form the words in the sculpture. This collaborative process will source meaningful phrases for the finished sculpture which represent Wokingham’s dynamic culture and future, aiming to showcase diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It will provoke a poetic curiosity in newcomers, and connect deeply with those who know Wokingham.”
Get involved: The poem for Wokingham is growing all the time, if you would like to sponsor a community’s words in the sculpture to enable more voices to be heard, contact studio [at] nicolaanthony.co.uk. If you are from wokingham and would like to contribute your words, get in touch here.
The Arc was commissioned by Arts4Wokingham and will be unveiled in the summer of 2023 at Wokingham’s Carnival Hub.
In Partnership with:
Commissioned by:
This project will be made with fabrication partners Benson Sedgwick, with art advisory from Renee Pfister Fine Art, and structural engineering from 99:40.
Thank you to our generous Founder Sponsors:
