An art installation made up of three cast iron sculptures has moved to its third location as it continues its journey across County Durham.
“Ps in a Pod” was created by artist Louise Plant and has so far spent four months each at Nose’s Point, Seaham, and Wharton Park.
It has now arrived in Bishop Auckland, where it will be sited in the town’s Market Place until moving to its final destination in Hamsterley Forest. The piece was commissioned by Durham County Council as part of a new approach to visual arts which sees work sited in community locations rather than in conventional gallery spaces.
An exhibition showing the process of how the Ps came to life will also be on display at Bishop Auckland Town Hall until Saturday, 7 April.
The exhibition illustrates how the Ps started out as sketch book drawings, then plaster models in Louise’s studio and finally being cast from scrap metal at Hargreaves Foundry in Halifax.
A film by Alan Fentiman, describing how the Ps were made, will also be available to view, alongside drawings and prints, marble P sculptures and tiny P sculptures in bronze and ceramic.
Lucy Jenkins, visual arts manager at Durham County Council, said: “It’s great to see the Ps continuing on their journey and we hope that those who live in Bishop Auckland as well as visitors to the town enjoy and interact with the installation.
“People will also have a great opportunity to learn more about the sculptures through the art exhibition taking place at the town hall at the same time.” As part of the Ps’ journey across the county, many people have also participated in workshops exploring what the Ps mean to them from drama to art.
