Radical Artists to Challenge Swansea Council in Court
undercurrents | 02.02.2005 19:03
Press release For Immediate Release
Contact Beth Marsden 07773 173059
February 2 2005
Radical Artists to Challenge Swansea Council in Court
A group of artists calling themselves the National Suburban Liberation Generation claim they are not vandals and believe their art actually enhances the built environment.
Jo Furlong, 24, from Cardiff, will appear in Swansea Magistrates Court on 4th February 2005 on charges of criminal damage to benches in Mumbles, Swansea. Mr Furlong was arrested after being recorded on CCTV attaching brass plaques, with humourous inscriptions, to wooden benches along the village seafront.
The artist was arrested on the scene and his screwdriver was confiscated. Police removed the plaques inscribed with 'That seat is taken' and 'In memory of Angharad who could never sit still' amongst others. He has been charged with criminal damage.
Jo Furlong from the National Suburban Liberation Generation said today,
“I think it’s more interesting to make art that reminds people of what we have in common, and connects people with their own creativity. We want to be thought- provoking, but in a playful way. We believe we’re enhancing the built environment.”
Jo Furlong graduated in June,2004 with first class honours in Fine Art from West Wales School of the Arts, Carmarthen. Leading Swansea artists have offered support to Mr. Furlong. Robin Campbell, architect and creator of the famous Dylan Thomas quote in the pavement outside the Swansea train station has expressed disbelief that such serious charges were pressed.
Beth Marsden from the National Suburban Liberation Generation said
“We aim to make publicly engaging Art, not to vandalise the town. The work is designed to have a low economical and environmental impact whilst reaching a public less likely to go to galleries.”
Mr. Furlong has entered a plea of 'innocent' and is defending himself. Trial dates will be announced at his court hearing on Friday 4th February at 10am.
Ends
Notes for Editors
For interviews please contact: Beth Marsden, 07773 173059
The CCTV video or photo of the arrest can be obtained from Undercurrents Newsdesk on 07973 298359 or
info@undercurrents.org
Contact Beth Marsden 07773 173059
February 2 2005
Radical Artists to Challenge Swansea Council in Court
A group of artists calling themselves the National Suburban Liberation Generation claim they are not vandals and believe their art actually enhances the built environment.
Jo Furlong, 24, from Cardiff, will appear in Swansea Magistrates Court on 4th February 2005 on charges of criminal damage to benches in Mumbles, Swansea. Mr Furlong was arrested after being recorded on CCTV attaching brass plaques, with humourous inscriptions, to wooden benches along the village seafront.
The artist was arrested on the scene and his screwdriver was confiscated. Police removed the plaques inscribed with 'That seat is taken' and 'In memory of Angharad who could never sit still' amongst others. He has been charged with criminal damage.
Jo Furlong from the National Suburban Liberation Generation said today,
“I think it’s more interesting to make art that reminds people of what we have in common, and connects people with their own creativity. We want to be thought- provoking, but in a playful way. We believe we’re enhancing the built environment.”
Jo Furlong graduated in June,2004 with first class honours in Fine Art from West Wales School of the Arts, Carmarthen. Leading Swansea artists have offered support to Mr. Furlong. Robin Campbell, architect and creator of the famous Dylan Thomas quote in the pavement outside the Swansea train station has expressed disbelief that such serious charges were pressed.
Beth Marsden from the National Suburban Liberation Generation said
“We aim to make publicly engaging Art, not to vandalise the town. The work is designed to have a low economical and environmental impact whilst reaching a public less likely to go to galleries.”
Mr. Furlong has entered a plea of 'innocent' and is defending himself. Trial dates will be announced at his court hearing on Friday 4th February at 10am.
Ends
Notes for Editors
For interviews please contact: Beth Marsden, 07773 173059
The CCTV video or photo of the arrest can be obtained from Undercurrents Newsdesk on 07973 298359 or
info@undercurrents.org
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