Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Artist Joseph Steele, is working with highway ironwork manufacturer Wrekin Products to deliver a unique project at highway-industry trade exhibition Seeing Is Believing 2016.
The special project at Seeing is Believing will be housed in a dedicated pavilion where Wrekin will launch their wide new range of Highway ironwork. The project places these often-unnoticed objects in an environment where the finest design and engineering details can be appreciated – almost like a sculpture gallery – and poses the question: what is ART?
Steele’s latest creation will provide the centrepiece of the pavilion. Using his characteristic approach, he will transform a Wrekin Highway manhole cover into an art object – which will be sold at auction during the trade show. The ART = Advanced Road Technology pavilion is the focus of Wrekin’s presence at Seeing is Believing.
Joseph Steele said: “People don’t really appreciate the creativity that goes into industrial design, but I’ve seen first-hand what happens when there are no manhole covers.
“It got me thinking about the applied creativity that goes into engineering, so when Wrekin approached me to create a piece for their exhibition, I was really interested.
“BMW has made a real splash with its art car project since 1975 and I see what Wrekin is doing in the same way – looking at form, function and aesthetics in a new way to challenge traditional ideas of engineering and cast a fresh light on the quality of design.”
For Seeing is Believing, Steele is turning a Wrekin Highway manhole cover into an art object. “I’m using dip painting techniques to add new imagery to the surface and to bring out some of the design features of the cover.”
The Highways Seeing is Believing show takes place 9 – 10 November at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Leicestershire. www.sib.uk.net
