Happy New Year to everyone!
Just a quick link to a wonderfully diverse website showcasing artists who make sculpture and art suitable for garden, parkland and other outdoor settings.
Much if not all the work is for sale.
Definitly worth a click!
The ‘Lock’ is now Open
September 27th, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
We were commissioned by Great Places Housing Association to create mosaic features for its award winning ‘Lock 54′ development of 150 homes in Blackburn.
The main circular mosaic depicts the heritage of the site, formerly the Higherfield Mill, as well as other local landmarks such as the old Infirmary.
It also pays homage to local people and their skills in textiles and engineering. In particular Rifleman A. Balderstone, one of the many mill workers who joined the 8th King’s Royal Rifles in the First World War, and was like many killed in France aged 31 years of age.
The mosaics were unveiled in July 2011 at the official launch event which was attended by local dignitaries & community members.
Click on the images above to see them in more detail
Clinical Excellence
August 8th, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
Scatworks was awarded a commission for the new 1.5 pound million Diabetes Centre at the University Hospital Aintree in Liverpool.
Working with the architect and staff of the centre, Stephen created a seiries of wall mounted discs which represent the univeral logo for diabetes. The designs feature imagery which make reference to Aintree’s Anglo Saxon heritage, diabetes and DNA. Great care was taken to ensure the artwork sympathetically matched other fixtures and fittings within the main foyer to enhance the calming simplicity of this environment.
(Below) Stephen on the right is pictured with Paul Fitzpatrick (Director Of Estates) and Dr Susan Benbow (Clinical Director).
Faces in the Facade
July 21st, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
Recently completed commission for Great Places Housing Group.
This piece can be found at the Westpoint Housing Development, Garside Street in Bolton.
It comprises of 5 Laser cut aluminium panels featuring archive photographs of foundry workers.
The artwork was incorporated as part of a planning condition and the selected images represent the history of the site which was formerly The Victoria Works (Foundry).
Careful planning went into the design and construction of the panels so they would compliment the architecture and fabric of the building.
Click on the images below to see them in more detail.
Astley Village Improvements – Chorley
July 1st, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
Finally, artwork created to improve the environment in Astley Village goes in. These include a 3.5 metre oak totem pole depicting the life cycle of frogs and a ‘fern’ inspired bench. Designed by Scartworks these elements are an integral part of a larger scheme to improve pathways, ponds and open areas around the estate. The consultation work for these elements was undertaken with pupils from the local primary school. (see images below)
Art in the Woods
May 11th, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
Children from Ashton in Makerfield near Wigan took part in an Easter arts workshop with Stephen Charnock to design and create a pebble mosaic for a woodland setting near their homes. The mosaic is located at the entrance to Skitters Wood, a much cherished piece of ancient woodland nestled between the town and the M6 motorway.
Stephen worked with Karin Dagnall, a Freind of Ashton volunteer, to organise the project and was keen to see the children get hands on experience throughout the making process. 
The mosaic was featured in the Wigan Evening Post. Follow this link to read the whole articlewigan evening post 30-4-11
Our Progress Mapped Out
February 28th, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
Using the panaramio website has enabled us to geographically locate where are artwork can be seen in the uk.
Follow this link to see where you can find examples of our art projects near to you.
New Lines for Old Tracks
January 5th, 2011 by Stephen Charnock
New Tesco Development – Public Art Scheme in Accrington, Lancashire.
Commissioned by Tesco Stores Plc in partnership with Mid Pennine Arts – Completed in November 2010
This new Tesco is built on a former goods yard and railway intersection. It was fitting that a new building so perfectly mimicked what was there before, we wanted to mark this in a contemporary piece of public art. The idea of the railway lines came from their actual former presence and that they could be effectively inscribed with this text and work really well as a piece of art.
We also wanted to include seating as a way of encouraging people to use the space, read the text and sit as if waiting for a train. We used curved steel to mimic bent railway tracks or buffers, making the whole thing look more contemporary – old yet new at the same time.
We employed poet Terry Caffrey who worked with three primary schools to create the text for the steel railway lines. His style of poetry and performance really brought the piece to life for the children and they created a huge amount of brilliant poems and thoughts for us to work with. They looked at what Accrington meant to them now, and how it has been in the past. They created flowing, inspiring pieces of work which we amalgamated in the final text for the piece.
Scartworks worked closley with Tescos, main site contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, W A Fairhurst(Landscape Architects) and Saunders Architects to ensure all the stainless steel rails & seating elements were manufactured and deliverd to site when required and installed correctly.
Another Sucessful Installation
November 18th, 2010 by Stephen Charnock
Ellesmere Shopping Centre -- Public Art Scheme / Walkden near Manchester
Commissioned by Tesco Stores Plc -- 2010 (50 M stainless steel public art feature)
This piece was installed in September 2010 and forms a major part of the facade of this new combined shopping centre and Tesco development. The site, which had once been a cotton mill, gave rise to the design. Rippled sheets of woven stainless wire contrast with the straight lines of the building. The rippled effect is evocative of water and textiles. The folds of the mesh are reminiscent of fabric, heightened by the needle-like form which intersects the mesh, creating an illusion of movement which directs the public to the main entrance.
The final piece also acts as a ventilation screen for the car park in the undercroft of the building and had to conform to strict structural and H&S guidelines.
Candlestick Terrace Mosaic – Now Complete
October 29th, 2010 by Stephen Charnock
It’s been a long time in the making but finally on the 26th October 2010 Whitehavens newest piece of public art was officially opened.
You can veiw a video of the installation and completed mosaic by following this link