Curatorial Artist: Bob & Roberta Smith
Artists: Lucy Harrison, Andrea Mason, Milika Muritu, Hayley Newman and Jane Wilbraham

An outdoor revolution is taking place in South East Essex! Five artists have been appointed to galvanise communities to regenerate neglected open spaces in the Thames Gateway. Curated by renegade artist Bob & Roberta Smith, and managed by Commissions East, the Art U Need project runs until March 2007.

The five artists and locations are:

• Andrea Mason, working at Northlands Park, Basildon
• Lucy Harrison, at Canvey Heights, Canvey Island
• Jane Wilbraham, at the Garrison Estate, Purfleet
• Hayley Newman, at Rochford Reservoir, Rochford
• Milika Muritu, on the Queensway Estate, Southend on Sea

Click here for more information on the projects and the artists.

The commissions for the five very different districts of the Thames Gateway aim to bring communities together, drawing on history, heritage and local culture for inspiration. Art U Need also poses the question: “Do we need art?” Can it genuinely transform the way people relate to where they live?

Bob & Roberta Smith says: “What is interesting is that the five selected artists are all women – maybe women are better at being useful than men. Women artists seem to have better skills when it comes to bringing people together, uncovering information and inciting co-operation.”

Send an e-mail to artuneed@commissionseast.org.uk if you have a view!

The £300k project has been initiated by the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership through the Investing in Communities (IiC) programme, and is funded by the East of England Development Agency and Arts Council England, East.