Swanley Omnibus was commissioned for Swanley Library, Kent. When I was asked to make some work for the library I found that all the
wall space was occupied by bookshelves and other library paraphernalia. However, there was a pillar in the middle of the library with
nothing attached to it so I decided to make a piece that wrapped around its four sides. This form in its turn suggested a panorama
of some sort. I was fortunate enough to be given access to the fire station tower immediately next to the library, and from there
I photographed the town.
The resulting piece comprises a set of tattered volumes arranged the pillar with the panorama of Swanley
forming a continuous image across their spines. Even its proudest citizen would be unlikely to claim that Swanley, clustered around
its central car park and Asda supermarket, is the most attractive of places, yet the binding beneath the ripped covers of Swanley
Omnibus reveals in one or two places the title of Sir Thomas More's 'Utopia'.
Swanley Omnibus was shortlisted for the Rouse Kent
Public Art Award in 2001.
