Ekaterina Sheath’s stunning artwork will be installed ahead of the 23rd May Artwalk. Representing the history of buildings in Westgate, the artwork includes the Gissing Centre and Unity Hall.
The art by Ekaterina Sheath is part of a four-year programme promoting the Upper Westgate Heritage Action Zone area (HAZ) and is a collaboration between Wakefield Council and Historic England
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Artist inspired by Wakefield’s historic Upper Westgate
A stunning outdoor art trail has been unveiled in Wakefield’s Upper Westgate.
Artist Ekaterina Sheath has taken inspiration from the area’s rich industrial heritage, architecture and from stories collected from local people and businesses to create a temporary outdoor trail of illustration.
The newly commissioned artworks encourage passers-by to re-imagine and engage with the city’s heritage as they enter and leave the Westgate high street.
Installed on buildings and lampposts, the project prompts visitors to look up and explore the Westgate area —drawing their attention to the historic architecture.
The art is part of a four-year programme promoting the Upper Westgate Heritage Action Zone area (HAZ) and is a collaboration between Wakefield Council and Historic England
The £3.8m four-year HAZ partnership scheme offers grants to owners of historic buildings along the street to repair and revitalise their buildings and includes a cultural programme. Work has already started on a number of buildings and the scheme has seen improvements made to four of the historic yards leading off Westgate.
Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said “We are delighted to see our historic buildings as a source of artistic inspiration.
“Ekaterina Sheath has uncovered so many fantastic stories and personal memories from our archives, residents, local businesses and communities which have been showcased in a striking way that also highlights the wonderful historic architecture of the area. Westgate has a diverse and eclectic history and these creative installations help capture the history of this special place in our district.”
Cllr Darren Byford, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Property said: “It is great to see our history celebrated as part of this programme to preserve and protect these fantastic buildings for future generations.”
On six adjoining listed buildings including Unity Hall, the Theatre Royal Wakefield and The Lodge at the Orangery are a new series of bold and playful artworks. They illustrate unique stories relating to the building, such as a portrait of writer George Gissing, a scene depicting the laying of the foundation stone at Unity Hall and a collection of vibrant characters that have featured on the Theatre’s stage over the years. Sheath cleverly marries Westgate’s past with its present by intertwining contemporary characters and collected stories from residents and workers in Wakefield through a series of engagement sessions, to show the layers of the area’s unique history and people.
To celebrate Westgate’s textile heritage from Wakefield Museum’s collection, Sheath has created 10 new bespoke patterns which are inspired by fabric samples in a linen sample book from Mr Smith’s drapery shop which once stood on Westgate. Her artworks feature tools and equipment associated with textiles, such as wooden dyer’s ladles and sheep shears. Shapes and patterns from Westgate’s grade-listed buildings can be seen intertwined into the work, such as Unity Hall’s stained glass windows and details from the Theatre Royal’s façade are incorporated.
Ekaterina Sheath, said: “Delving into Wakefield Museum’s Collections I was fascinated by the fabric samples and tools I found there dating back to 1820-1830. The illustrations I created are a bespoke twist on textiles from Mr. Smith’s linen book, originating from late Georgian Wakefield. It is exciting to see the lamppost banners showcased on Westgate, where Mr. Smith’s drapery shop once stood.”