Info On Us | Commision Three | ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn

Public Art and Sculpture Trail

Lisburn City Council's XPLORART Sculpture Trail is one of the most prestigious public arts projects ever undertaken in Northern Ireland and is the first public art programme to be implemented by Lisburn City Council. The programme illustrates the Council's proactive approach to the development of an integrated schedule of public art incentive schemes and commissions to enhance the visitor profile of Lisburn City.

XPLORART entails eight site specific sculptures at Lagan Valley Island co-funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery Fund. The trail is supplemented by exhibition spaces at ISLAND Arts Centre where temporary exhibitions are accommodated and with its remarkable collection of contemporary works of art, is a fine example ART PARTNERS of both urban and rural renewal.

Ned Jackson

Awarded Artist - Ned Jackson Smyth, Newtownards, Co Down, Northern Ireland

This commission is a Granite and Bronze sculpture which functions as a fountain, spilling its water to the ground and is a symbol of the making of the 'Lagan Valley ISLAND site,' as it was formed by the existing river and the diversion of the river through the construction of the canal. The concept of the piece is therefore representative of the formation of the ISLAND, symbolising the theme 'Earth' through the man-made from and flow of the river and canal, symbolising the theme of 'Water'.

The overall aim of the XPLORART project was to create new work that reflects and engages with the vision and life of Lisburn City and its people, whilst being of national and international significance. Its creation demonstrates a visionary understanding of the way in which artworks can enrich both public buildings and spaces in the public arena and enhance the general public's access to and understanding of contemporary art in all its diversity. The programme has also created a vital public face for the professional artistic community, providing an interface between the artist and the general public.