WREXHAM WIRE COMPETITION WINNER FROM GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY TO FUSE ART AND PHYSICS AT WIRE 2020 TRADE FAIR
A wire model of Wales featuring the country’s geographical, industrial and architectural highlights is to be a centrepiece on a leading wire company’s stand at a global trade fair.
The sculpture commission – for Wrexham Wire – will be created by Wrexham Glyndwr University Applied Art student Louise Cunningham and displayed for the first time on the company’s stand (E33) at Wire 2020. Wire 2020 is a globally-recognised trade fair for the wire and cable industry which takes place in Düsseldorf from March 30 to April 3 next year.
Louise, originally from Kirkcaldy in Scotland, was selected as the winning entrant in a competition initiated by Wrexham Wire and carried out in partnership with Wrexham Glyndwr University, which asked arts students to design and construct a sculpture based on the theme of Wrexham and North Wales.
In her winning submission, Louise proposed an outline map of Wales that contains mountains, roads, and other features – all of which will be modelled from wire, and some of which move or are illuminated using magnetic forces and electrical power.
Wrexham Wire’s operations director Jonathan Chappell said: “We were extremely impressed by the high level of entries to this competition and it was tough to decide who to choose as the winner.
“In the end it was Louise’s very innovative take on our environs and how this could be represented in wire and integrated with light and movement that made her entry stand out.”
With the support of lecturers at the university and Wrexham Wire, Louise will progress her concept proposal to a fully formed sculpture to be unveiled at Wire 2020 and displayed afterwards at Wrexham Wire’s factory.
Wrexham Glyndwr University Applied Art programme leader Cerys Alonso said:
“We’re delighted that Louise will be working with Wrexham Wire to produce this piece – and that it is set to take centre stage at a key international trade fair.
“Our course is designed not only to equip students with the high-quality craft skills they need to make work such as this, but also to ensure they have the experience and confidence to work with major companies on key projects.
“By working on a live commission for Wrexham Wire, Louise will be getting the chance to showcase her work on the international stage – and a great addition to her portfolio too.”
Find out more about Wrexham Wire here: https://www.wrexhamwire.co.uk/ and about Wrexham Glyndwr University’s BA (Hons) Applied Arts here: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/AppliedArts/
About Wrexham Wire
Wrexham Wire has been a leader in the wire drawing industry for more than 40 years and supplies bespoke products to meet customers’ specific requirements. It prides itself on meeting demanding production and delivery deadlines, providing cost-effective, high-quality products, comprehensive testing facilities and excellent customer service.
Wrexham Wire’s key target sectors are automotive and construction. It also provides wire for other applications including springs, engineering wires and electro galvanised wires.
Wrexham Wire employs 80 people and handles approximately 30,000 tonnes of steel annually. All products are manufactured in strict compliance with relevant European standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
About Wrexham Glyndwr University
Founded in 2008, Wrexham Glyndwr University is a young, bold and vibrant university based in north-east Wales. The university has two campuses in Wrexham, Plas Coch and Regent Street plus campuses in Northop and St Asaph. In 2017 the university was awarded the silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework for the quality of teaching.
The university is driving academic excellence through a wide range of innovative and industry-relevant courses, such as Applied Science, Computing, Engineering, Creative Arts, Criminology and Psychology.
Wrexham Glyndwr is a Top 100 University, rising 45 places in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards. The Campus 2025 strategy encompasses plans for new student accommodation, car parking and upgraded facilities in the next six years.