Six Figurative Panels and Sun Mosaic & Cloud Paving, Curzon Square - Burnley

In April 2000 Chrysalis Arts completed a public art commission for Curzon Square in Burnley for the developers Great Portland Estates. The project was initiated through Burnley Borough Council's Percent for Art policy and involved artist Kate Maddison working in collaboration with architects and landscape architects from BDP in Manchester.

The concept for the artwork was 'people shopping in Burnley' and the theme incorporated images of local people and an expression of the weather, a favourite subject of conversation by shoppers and an influence on the way they dress and behave while out shopping.

A 5 metre ceramic sun mosaic was created in a series of pre-cast concrete backed sections by a team of artists led by Kate at The Art Depot in Gargrave. The robust mosaic paving technique used has been developed by Chrysalis to be suitable for exterior public pedestrian spaces where access is required for delivery and emergency vehicles.

The mosaic sun is intersected by a series of clouds created in a combination of white marble sets and exposed aggregate concrete. The whole composition evokes the classic British weather of 'sunshine and showers'. It was designed to integrate with the paved landscape surround and the stainless steel street furniture