Public art

The purpose of the public art strategy is to set out the context and objectives for public art and enable us to give guidance to developers on how to discharge planning conditions and obligations relating to public art. It supports our mission to make Wycombe district economically strong and a good place to live, work and visit and will aim to ensure that public art commissioned in the district meets the highest standards of commissioning art in the public realm.

Successful public art is rooted in the uniqueness of a particular area, and can take the form of sculpture or commissioned works of art, artist commissioned street furniture or landscape features, or even temporary events and performances.

Background to the Public Art Strategy

Wycombe district has a strong sense of identity and culture, and can build on its track record of using public space as a forum for cultural expression, be it commissioning works of public art or holding festivals and special events.

The strategy has been developed using site visits to major regeneration and development sites, interviews with a broad range of stakeholders within and beyond WDC, research into the history of the town and previous art commissions.

The strategy takes into account the Wycombe Development Framework Core Strategy in particular Policies CS3 and CS21, identified major regeneration and development sites and the "Places of distinction" document that identifies opportunities to improve the public realm in Wycombe district. More about the Wycombe Development Framework.

A copy of the strategy is available to download below.

Details of recent public art commissions are listed below:

Kingshill Grange public art
'Grove' by Peter Randall-Page, 2011

Sited at the entrance to the housing development built in 2010 & 2011 off Kingshill Road, High Wycombe. Supported by a public art steering group of community representatives including students from Royal Grammar School and Highworth County Combined Primary School, Taylor Wimpey commissioned internally renowned British artist Peter Randall-Page in 2010. The piece is carved in relief from a naturally eroded granite boulder with a continuous line over its entire surface and situated in a formal circle of pleached Hornbeam trees creating a single canopy that is open to allow in light. Peter Randall-Page's sculptures are inspired by the natural world, and his works are displayed in public and private collections around the World, including in the UK at Tate Gallery and the British Museum. 'Grove' was unveiled in June 2011.

For more information about Peter's work visit his website using the link at the bottom of the page.