Wb Art Spine lead 2708

TWO artists have been commissioned to create outdoor sculptures for the proposed Watlington “ArtSpine” public art trail.

Nick Foot, 56, from Pyrton, and James Ort, 43, from Towersey, near Thame, will have their sculptures displayed alongside those created by Newcastle-based artist Joseph Hillier.

The pair were selected from a pool of eight artists judged on their ability to convey themes of community, history, landscape and the environment.

Mr Foot’s piece, Aspire, focused on the importance of building ambition, confidence and self-belief in young people.

It depicts a young person wearing a hoodie pulled over their face, running forward with raised arms which are half red kite wings.

Mr Foot said: “It’s an allegory of giving someone an opportunity and giving them the chance to lift themselves up. Giving them wings, to lift their horizons.

“Red kites are synonymous with this area and we chose them because they’re just so iconic.”

Mr Foot hopes the sculpture will encourage people to consider how the education system can be more inclusive of those who struggle to cope with it.

He added: “It’s a really exciting opportunity to add something positive to a town which has been a part of me and my family’s life for 20 years.”

Mr Ort is planning a trifocal pyramidal structure, which will be bronzed to give a verdigris-like effect, to reflect the diversity and community of Watlington.

He said: “There were three main aspects to the project they wanted us to capture: the culture, the town and the landscape. It just came to me as a very obvious choice for a sculpture — something that makes Watlington, Watlington.”

Predominantly a wildlife sculptor, Mr Ort said his project would focus on the “human aspect” of the town and could include nods to prominent figures in the community or features such as the pop-up Orange Bakery or Spire and Spoke café.

Mr Ort has been exhibiting his work at Watlington ArtWeeks for about 10 years.

He has run the Phoenix Studios in Towersey since 2010, when he took over from his mother Karin and her partner Peter Jones.

The artist cites the work of his late grandfather, illustrator Brian Price-Thomas, as one of his main inspirations.

“My grandfather illustrated the Ladybird children’s books. He also loved nature. He installed a love of art in me, and our drawing styles are very similar, so he’s been a huge influence.”

Mr Ort said it “means the world” to have won the commission, adding: “To create a piece that has a legacy and will be enjoyed by a community that I love so much is really heartwarming and touching.”

If planning permission is granted by South Oxfordshire District Council, the trail will feature five sculptures  and is designed to link the town with new housing developments at Red Kite View and Hampden Fields.

The £120,000 project is led by the parish council and funded by contributions from developers of the new housing estates.

The parish council hopes to install the trail to mark ArtWeeks 2026, which will run from May 2 to 10.