Locals to have a say on Sevenoaks sculptures

Published: Wednesday, 21st April 2021

Residents are being asked for their views on two proposed sculptures for Blighs in Sevenoaks.

The Council’s Public Realm Commission is working with the art community and others to place a piece of public art outside of M&S.

Last year, artists were invited to come forward with their ideas for the busy Sevenoaks site and the Council received more than 35 submissions.

These were shortlisted down to two entries with the help of local artists, businesses and residents.

The first is ‘Three and Four’ by Oliver Barratt, a bronze statue inspired by coppice trees and hop vines that once grew locally. The statue’s verdant green-base is a reference to the green buses that came and went through Blighs when it was a bus station.

The other is ‘Seven Oaks’ by Simone Tchonova and Matthijs la Roi. The sculpture represents the oaks of Sevenoaks and is symbolic of climate restoration. Residents would be invited to have their own personal environmental message engraved on one of the 4,500 unique steel pieces that form part of the sculpture.

Residents can find out more and have their say on the proposals by visiting www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/publicrealm.

The survey will remain open until 5pm on Friday 14 May.

Cllr Roddy Hogarth, the Council’s Commissioner of the Public Realm, says: “We are excited to be bringing public art to such a well-used location, right in the heart of Sevenoaks town.

“The past year has shown us that outdoor spaces are incredibly important so now, more than ever, we want to make the most of our public areas.

“We have shortlisted two outstanding options for the site. We would love to know what residents think of these proposals, so we would urge them to visit our website to find out more and have their say".