In Conversation: Artists John Beck & Matthew Cornford

Matthew Cornford and John Beck are the second commissioned artists for Meadow Arts and Hereford College of Arts partnership project at No.1 Station Approach, Hereford.

Inspired by the fast-flowing and bold visual environment of competing signs and signals that populate the busy intersection of Station Approach, Matthew Cornford and John Beck aim to create a vibrant illuminated sign attached to the Hereford College of Arts (HCA) halls of residence. The artists have taken their cue from the way art schools historically announced their presence by prominently displaying the word ‘Art’ itself on the front of the building. 

To celebrate the launch, Matthew Cornford and John Beck will talk about their work at Station Approach and its relation to their wider project on the cultural history of British art schools, including the exhibition currently showing at the New Art Gallery Walsall titled The Art Schools of the West Midlands.

Following the talk, guests are invited to walk down to No.1 Station Approach to view the artwork.

If you have visited this exhibition, we kindly ask if you could fill out a short online audience survey. This will allow Meadow Arts to continue to offer free events and exhibitions to the public. Online survey.

About the Funders

This is the second bold commission of public artwork at No.1 Station Approach, Hereford. It is one 15 projects that aim to make Hereford a greener, fairer, creative, digital, more connected city. Together, the projects have been awarded £22.4 million in funding 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.

This exhibition is the first of the fifteen projects to be launched in the city thanks to the support of Stronger Hereford.

The 15 projects aim to make Hereford a greener, fairer, creative, digital, more connected city. The commissioning of high quality public art at this strategic location helps welcome bus and train visitors, and gives commuters and students arriving at Hereford Station and walking up Aylestone Hill a more exciting, dynamic public space.

The previous commission featured the work of internationally-renowned contemporary artist Lothar Götz.

An associated engagement programme will reach out to residents, visitors, students, artists as well as the wider community to stimulate debate and showcase Hereford as a cultural destination.

Time: 6 – 8pm