Young people from Slough Young People’s Centre (SYPC) visited Hackney on 10 June to observe the manufacture of a piece of glass artwork.
The glass artwork, Lightbox, will eventually be installed as part of the Art at the Slough Centre project.
It has been designed by artist Bhajan Hunjan and will be set into the pavement along the pedestrianised stretch of the High Street.
It was inspired by the game of Hopscotch with intricate designs of green and blue coloured glass incorporated into an oval shape.
Bhajan Hunjan was delighted to show the artwork to the group from Slough SYPC. She said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing how children, young people and adults relate and react to the piece and whether it evokes memories of how we played as children.
“It was great to meet the young people from SYPC who were so interested in the piece and are proud that it’ll be installed in the High Street.”
Shante Hudson, acting arts development officer for SYPC, added: “It was great to visit with the young people who were able to see their ideas turned into reality.
“They can’t wait to see the piece installed, and are already talking about how they can incorporate it into a piece of street performance.”
Roger Kirkham, Art at the Centre project manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “The addition of the Lightbox to the eastern end of the High Street will be a pleasure for shoppers to enjoy.
“With the curved granite seating nearby, people can take a break to sit and enjoy this wonderful piece of art.”
The glass artwork is being made at Eluna, a company established and pioneered by Free Form Arts Trust, who also originally established Slough Young People’s Centre with Slough Borough Council. Free Form is an arts and regeneration charity involving communities in improving urban environments.
The Eluna products have been developed through extensive research and development to create high quality and aesthetic products from waste glass, robust enough to be used in architectural applications.
Hazel Goldman, associate director of programmes at Free Form continues to mentor the SYPC team of young people from Slough.
Hazel is delighted at the successes of the centre and to see the fruition of the project. She said: “It’s wonderful to see the artwork nearly ready for installation as the latest celebration of our Hackney and Slough partnership.
“We’re delighted too that the design of the artwork has involved Slough’s young people through a creative arts workshops programme.
Slough Borough Council
