District’s Year of Culture sculpture is unveiled

A new art sculpture, commissioned as part of the Horsham District Year of Culture 2019 was unveiled to the public at Highwood Village, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham on Wednesday 23 October.

The grand reveal gave visitors the first glimpse of the sculpture, which started its life as an eight tonne rectangular block of stone. It took in the region of four million chisel chips from members of the community, under the expert eye of sculpture artist Jon Edgar, to create the final piece.

The sculpture was unveiled by Berkeley Homes Southern Managing Director, Harry Lewis, Horsham District Council Chairman Cllr Kate Rowbottom and sculptor Jon Edgar.

As part of Horsham District’s Year of Culture 2019, local artist Jon was commissioned to install the stone at the beginning of 2019, before the community sculpture project was officially launched at Highwood Village in February.

Throughout the year, Jon has sculpted and carved the eight tonne stone block, drawing inspiration from local residents and passers-by to create the final artwork. Budding sculptors were taught basic carving skills throughout the year and they were encouraged to have a go and put something of themselves into the work as progress was made.

A competition was run by Berkeley Homes, the developers of the Highwood Village site, to name the sculpture. The winning name was announced as “Fluvius”- the Latin for stream or river- which reflects the numerous streams and rivers of the area.

“I am delighted to see the final design and finished sculpture at Highwood.

It’s not often that members of the community have the opportunity to help shape and design a new piece of public art.

“At the outset of the Horsham District Year of Culture our rally call to everyone was to “get involved” and this project certainly achieved this for many residents and visitors, not least the new residents of the recently constructed Highwood Village.

“The sculpture provides a lasting legacy of the Year of Culture for people to enjoy in years to come. It will make an enduring impression on the environment and community at Highwood.

" My thanks go out to Berkeley Homes for commissioning such an original and imaginative community project”.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure Cllr Jonathan Chowen

"We would like to thank and congratulate Jon Edgar for his magnificent creation.

He has worked very hard this year to create a sculpture which will provide a timeless and memorable piece of art that the whole community can enjoy in the future.

"Our thanks also go to the local residents who worked with Jon to influence the final design.”

“We are extremely excited to be unveiling the fantastic new public art sculpture at Highwood Village.

Ben Annetts, Sales and Marketing Director at Berkeley Homes