‘Selfie Wall’ by local artist unveiled in Kettering town centre
A new piece of public art by local artist Catherine Matthews has been installed on Gold Street in Kettering as part of the Council’s ongoing campaign to reinvigorate the town centre.
The 2.44m x 1.22m display, which you’ll find opposite the Newlands Centre entrance on the building previously operated by New Look, features a ‘singing in the rain’ theme with an umbrella and lamppost to encourage people to take photos of themselves with the backdrop. The street in the background is based on Kettering’s Market Street and features a duck with wellington boots and a colourful rainbow. Kettering Borough Council commissioned local artist Catherine Matthews to create the art, who also worked on the large-scale mural at Kettering General Hospital’s Dementia Garden.
The project follows on from the Council’s ‘Stay Safe, Shop Local’ campaign which continues to promote the borough’s town centres as safe and vibrant places to visit, whilst supporting local businesses. Plans are in place to install further outdoor public art to enhance the area.
We’d love to see local people’s selfies, so share your photographs with This is Kettering on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or by using #ThisisKettering
You can find out more about how Kettering town centre has reopened for business and how we’re encouraging people to stay safe and shop local at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening
Catherine Matthews, local artist who created the display, said:
“I am chuffed to bits, it is a real honour to have my art on display in my own town. To be commissioned to create public art at a time like this is fantastic and I hope the people of Kettering enjoy it when they visit.”
Cllr Mark Dearing, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said:
“We’ve been looking to bring more public art to the town centre and I’m delighted we’re able to highlight this wonderful design from a local artist. The artwork builds on our ‘Stay Safe, Shop Local’ campaign and we’re happy that it will be seen by so many in such a central location. I’m looking forward to seeing people taking their photos holding the umbrella!”
