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What do Rodin, Moore and Frink have in Common? Harlow, of course
By Michael Paraskos

It used to be called Harlow New Town, then it became just Harlow. Now Harlow in Essex has a new name: Harlow Sculpture Town. This new name, which will soon appear on road signs and publicity brochures, was approved by an overwhelming majority at a meeting of Harlow Council in April. In fact, so strong was support for the proposal that after the vote the council chamber erupted into spontaneous applause, something the town clerks say has never happened before.

The reason for the new name might come as a surprise to people who do not know Harlow. Built in an uncompromising modern style after the Second World War, Harlow was created to house the victims of Nazi bombing in east London. Under the leadership of the architect Frederick Gibberd, the town was an experiment in a new way of living, and comprises a series of village communities linked together by the central hub of the town centre. Each ‘village’ was given its own parade of shops, community and health centres and schools. In Gibberd’s vision, however, each area was also given its own public sculptures, reflecting Gibberd’s belief that art is for everyone.

The result is that Harlow now has the highest number of public sculptures per head of population in the country. There are over 100 in total. Many are owned by the Harlow Art Trust, which was set up by Gibberd in 1953. Amongst the big names in the Trust’s collection are Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Lynn Chadwick and Elizabeth Frink, each of whom is represented by major works. Although most of the Trust’s collection is scattered across Harlow, there is a concentration in the town centre, including the Rodin, Moore and Frink. There is also a collection of sculptures owned by the Gibberd Garden Trust, located in the pretty house and garden built by Frederick Gibberd. And there is a new collection of works lining the River Stort footpath, running three miles from the gallery and artists’ studios at Parndon Mill to the Gibberd Garden.

But the name Harlow Sculpture Town is not simply a celebration of the existing sculptures of Harlow. It is intended to encourage new art activity in the town. Next spring a new sculpture by the German artist Ekkehard Altenburger will be unveiled in the award winning Newhall housing development, and an annual sculpture festival is planned. Perhaps the most exciting idea of all is the proposal to set up a new sculpture college in Harlow, allowing young artists to respond to the existing collection.