Public art brings 'joy' to Washington residents

Already affectionately named 'Joy' by local residents, the beautiful new sculpture now stands among a community at Albert Place, Washington, which is one of a number of new schemes being built by the council as part of its £59m Housing Delivery Investment Plan.

Joy was sculpted by local artist Dr Ron Lawson, and is the first of a series of commissions of public art that will appear among the new housing developments being led by the council.

Depicting a small schoolgirl with an umbrella in her hand, the distinctive sculpture has been warmly received by local residents, including the new occupants of the four new bungalows that Joy watches over.

Made from steel, the piece was created by sculptor Dr Lawson, who was inspired by the history of the site which overlooks Washington Old School, itself set to be reimagined into a new supported community for vulnerable residents.

Dr Lawson, who has a studio in Norfolk Street in Sunderland, bid for the commission, which is part of Sunderland City Council's community wealth-building efforts aimed at supporting the local economy through the local authority's capital programme.  It is one of two pieces he was instructed to create, and both will stand among new housing developments being delivered as part of the council's Housing Delivery and Investment Plan (HDIP), which will see 360 empty properties bought back into use as family homes over the next five years; 117 new build bungalows delivered; and through new build, conversion and refurbishment, 95 new homes created to provide supported accommodation to Sunderland residents.

Dr Lawson said he is thrilled at the community's response to his piece.

He said: "It's nerve-wracking unveiling a piece of community art, because you just never know what the reaction will be, but it's been fantastic to see the reception the piece has had and that the community have really taken her to their hearts very quickly."

The artwork stands at the entrance of the pocket-sized community of bungalows at Albert Place, which will deliver accessible living for vulnerable residents and those with disabilities.  

The Homes England-backed development completed last month, with four fully-adapted bungalows having been constructed by Tolent, creating much-needed one-storey accommodation.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, dynamic city cabinet member at Sunderland City Council, said: "Every scheme we develop as part of this HDIP will feature community art, and we're looking to work with local artists to ensure that the commissions we undertake deliver maximum value to our creative businesses and people.

"Joy, as she is now known, is bringing just that to the local community - the people who live in Albert Place, and the residents who pass her, and this is why this kind of commissioning is important - because it gives us a community we can be proud of, as well as supporting the development of creative industries in the city, which will create a more vibrant and diverse economy, and with that, more opportunities for our people.  We're delighted at the warm welcome Joy has had and look forward to bringing more new high-quality homes, and attractive public art, to the city as this five-year HDIP is delivered."