A captivating new sculpture has been unveiled as the centerpiece of a new water feature in the walled gardens at Haigh Hall, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of Haigh Woodland Park. The eye-catching steel artwork, titled 'Snail on Me,' combines elements of mythological and real creatures to create a unique public art installation that will remain at the site for at least five years.
The striking sculpture, created by renowned German-Korean artist Anne Duk Hee Jordan, is positioned at the center of a newly constructed pond in the gardens adjacent to the historic hall. This pond serves a dual purpose, collecting and filtering rainwater while creating natural habitats that promote biodiversity in the area. The installation represents Jordan's first public art project in the United Kingdom and forms part of her larger 'Bodies of Water' series.
'Bodies of Water' is an ambitious site-specific public art project curated and produced by UP Projects, a leading public art organization. The project unfolds across two locations in England: A la Ronde in Exmouth, East Devon, and Haigh Hall in Wigan. Through an ecological lens, Jordan confronts the politics of water, exploring themes related to water management and environmental stewardship.
The project's title draws inspiration from cultural historian Astrida Neimanis's 2017 book 'Bodies of Water: Posthuman Feminist Phenomenology,' which examines the complex relationships between humans, water, oceans, and aquatic life. The work also considers the human body as a vessel of water, exploring the concept that water moves in continuous cycles, flowing from the environment through humans and other organisms.
Both artworks in the series were developed through place-based partnerships that informed the creation of sculptural works designed to harvest, filter, and circulate rainwater. The installations reference the historical significance of each location while incorporating insights from local communities and specialist knowledge from scientists, researchers, and conservation specialists at Exeter University, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Julie's Bicycle.
In addition to Jordan's main sculpture, two new art commissions are also viewable within the grounds of Haigh Woodland Park. One piece is from local artist Dustin Lyon, while the other is created by Alison Cooper, who works under the artist name Magpahi. These additional works complement the main installation and contribute to the park's growing collection of public art.
Emma Underhill, Founder and Artistic Director of UP Projects, expressed enthusiasm about the commission. 'We are thrilled to be commissioning Anne Duk Hee Jordan's first public project in the UK,' Underhill said. 'Jordan is one of the most exciting artists working today, with a significant international profile. The two new public artworks created specifically for A la Ronde, Exmouth and Haigh Hall, Wigan are addressing global issues relating to the politics of water, and water management, but with a hyperlocal relevance achieved through community collaboration in both locations.'
The 'Bodies of Water' project includes an extensive program of community events and activities developed by locally based artist Anna F C Smith. Working in collaboration with community ambassadors, Smith has created programming that responds to the themes explored in Jordan's artwork, ensuring meaningful community engagement with the installation.
Councilor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, praised the community response to the new installation. 'It was brilliant to see so many local people across the park on Saturday enjoying the workshops, installation from local artists and of course, the new sculpture, Snail on Me,' Ready said. 'Despite the weather, people turned out and said how much they liked the new sculpture which is the second public art installation at Haigh this year and part of the wider transformation across the estate. We can't wait to continue to see more and more projects coming to fruition at Haigh for people to enjoy.'
