TWO Coventry artists have used the anti-terrorist barriers outside Coventry Market and The Wave, the city’s new indoor waterpark, as canvasses for their latest work.
The surface-mounted crash blocks are designed and manufactured by family-run Safetyflex Barriers, the world-leading manufacturer of anti-terrorism bollards, barriers and crash-rated street furniture which is also based in Coventry.
Polly Merredew, and Emily Hett, were commissioned by Coventry City Council as part of a city-wide project to look at innovative ways of showcasing the work of local artists.
Polly said: “This is completely unusual and off the scale for me as I’ve only ever produced my work on a more conventional canvas, so to be doing a 3D public art project has been a steep learning curve, but really exciting at the same time.
“I took my inspiration from the architecture and decorative elements of the city centre and drew designs out of that, incorporating the bright colours of the rainbow which has become a real symbol of hope during the pandemic.”
Emily added: “This is like nothing I’ve done before and to find out that the security barriers were made in Coventry too makes it extra special.
“All of my work is inspired by nature and really playful in a way that it can be appreciated by people of all ages.”
Rob Gerrard, director of Safetyflex Barriers, said: “Polly and Emily have done a great job in bringing them to life in a way that we’d never really considered before.”
