As we follow the intriguing fabrication of Laura White’s monumental installation for No.1 Station Approach, Anne de Charmant, Artistic Director at Meadow Arts, explores the artist’s choice of materials for the work:

“White has carefully selected these primary materials—metal, white scaffolding sheeting, and plastic ties—to align closely with the language of the city. They are everyday materials, ubiquitous in construction or renovation sites worldwide. This grounding in the urban fabric initially appears to contrast and contradict the subject of sculpture: an evocation of the baroque and a mythological tale of desire and nature.

This is the tale of Daphne, the nymph of the forest pursued by Apollo, who smitten by her beauty, desires to possess her. She escapes his clutches by transforming herself into a tree.

Placed on one of Hereford’s main roads leading out of the city, the sculpture evokes both the busy urban development that surrounds it and the vast, famously picturesque landscape of the countryside beyond the city centre. It evokes the power and resilience of nature, as well as the transformative power of art.” – Anne de Charmant, Artistic Director

Watch how the work has been fabricated in this short film below with Jez from Stainless & Alloy Products Ltd, located in West Bromwich, West Midlands:

Film courtesy of Meadow Arts, filmed by Tegen Kimbley.

The public will be able to view this installation at No.1 Station Approach, Hereford from May 2024 – April 2025.

The temporary work is the third bold public art commission for No.1 Station Approach. The project is one of fifteen projects launched in the city thanks to the support of Stronger Hereford, which aims to make the city greener, fairer, creative, digital and more connected. With support from HM Government’s Towns Fund to help Hereford blossom into a richly creative, digital, connected and highly-skilled place to live, work, study, visit and invest.