Wrapping the Corn Exchange
Les Bicknell

Ipswich Borough Council Public Art Commission
Autumn 08 – Spring 09

Ipswich Borough Council commissioned artist Les Bicknell to transform one of Ipswich's best known buildings during renovation work.

Les’s striking but simple concept of a landscape dominated by cornfields and Suffolk sky will shroud the Corn Exchange until Spring 2009 during a £1million refurbishment project.

His concept links neatly with the history of the Corn Exchange building, which was originally used for the sale of corn. The fifty metre artwork has been composed of images of Suffolk sky’s and corn fields captured and manipulated by the artist so that within the abstract forms figurative imagery can be found and imagined. The sky feels full of creatures from myth and legend.

“People who visit the town centre can be transported to a very rural space. It's a celebration of the experience of travelling through rural areas and vast expanses of land. It's a reminder of what we are surrounded by, what it means to live in Suffolk for many people” - Les Bicknell.

In mediaeval times the Cornhill became the centre of trade and local Government in Ipswich. The first recorded building in this area was the Flesh Market, or Shambles in 1346. From that date until the nineteenth century there were many changes and additions to buildings in the vicinity. In 1812 the first corn exchange was built where grain could be brought and sold.

In 1882 the new corn exchange was built. As part of the celebrations the Mayor provided, at his own cost, for the entertainment of the towns-folk in general, a splendid display of fireworks in Christchurch Park, terminating with a pyrotechnic representation of the New Corn Exchange.

In August 1888 the fruit and vegetable market was moved the building where it remained until 1970. The last Corn Market was held at the Corn Exchange on 20th June 1972. Remodelled in 1975 the building became the town’s premier venue for meetings, exhibitions, shows and other spectator events.

Threads: Mapped - the other stuff that's going on while wrapping the Corn Exchange
On view from 6th August – 1st November

To co-incide with the external project a corresponding display of work will be shown in Gallery 1.1 from 6 August until 1 November.

http://lesbicknell.blogspot.com/