This park project has been in my mind since I wrote a project called 100 Green Spaces a few years ago. The Grenada National Stadium Authority (GNSA) has graciously provided me with space and time to accomplish this public art installation, and at the same time, provide a green space for visitors to the Queen’s Park to enjoy.
Project Site
Queen’s Park adjacent to the river on the Green Bridge side. The Grenada National Stadium Authority provides the project artist with a small storeroom, coverage by their security and periodic grass cutting.
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| Project site – looking towards Green Bridge entrance |
Funding and Materials
The project is funded partially by the Prince Claus Fund of the Netherlands and Suelin Low Chew Tung, artist for the project. Equipment rental costs and materials are sourced by the artist as needed and dependant on availability, proximity to site, and of course cost. In kind and labour donations towards completion of the project are appreciated.
Project Concept and Background
This is a small scale park with sculptures created from repurposed materials – tyres, tiles and metal – representing the Amerindian petroglyphs found on rocks in Dusquesne, Mount Rich, etc. The sculptures are complemented by drought tolerant plants, mainly the national flower, the bougainvillea. In 2006, I wrote a project called 100 Green Spaces, calling for the creation of small parks across the nation that would use plants, seating and a piece of sculpture or a monument to highlight parts of our history and culture. At the time, the sculptures were to be constructed from repurposed waste and construction materials available after the 2004 hurricane, materials that would normally end up in the landfill.
In 2009, I approached the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, to assist me in creating the first of these 100 Green Spaces, in the hope that this experiment would encourage our communities to do similar works as unique markers of Grenada’s historic events. The Prince Claus Fund of the Netherlands agreed to co-fund the project. The Fund is a platform for intercultural exchange, activities and publications reflecting a contemporary approach to the themes of culture and development realised in cooperation with individuals and organisations mainly in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.princeclausfund.org. I then approached the Grenada National Stadium Authority (GNSA) and was given approval to create the sculpture park on the grass area adjacent to the river in-between the two stadia. The concept of reproducing the Amerindian symbols made this location ideal, as it is near the site of an Amerindian settlement on the banks of the river.
Project Details
October to December 2009 –
I received approval for an original site and did site visits, took photos and prepared sketches. Later, permission was rescinded for use of this site as it was governed by two different authorities, and had been double booked.
An alternate site was sought. Written permission was received on December 31 for use of the Queen’s Park site, with security and storage facilities secured. I did an initial site visit, took photos and measurements, and prepared sketches.
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| Overhead view of the park foundation |
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anuary to March 2010 – I did site visits to determine if there are any issues to be dealt with prior to building of project, and to discuss any environmental impact on nearby river. I had a March interview on the GBN Morning Show to introduce the project, and to show photos of the existing area, and an artist’s impression of the site. I did a public appeal for materials to work with: broken tiles and crockery, used wrought iron garden furniture, benches, concrete plant pots, culverts, etc as well as plants – in
particular bougainvillea, cactus and succulents. The foundations of the park were installed – tyre banks to hold the plants, a yellow metal boiler (to become the Amerindian stone with the painted petroglyphs) and two white towers, part of the original stadium (to become the hill on which the abstract sculptures are to be welded). Three tractor tyres for large plantings and a load of gravel were donated by the Gravel, Concrete and Emulsion Production Corporation, http://grenadagravelconcrete.com. I also created eleven of the basic sculptures which are currently awaiting welding to the white towers, to look like people on a hillside. Shortly after the foundations were installed, and the first plants put in, work stalled for a couple of months due to personal illness. Work resumed sporadically as I worked through my illness, and as funding permitted.
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| Unpainted sculpture from waste metal |
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July – August 2010 – The Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB) donated 10 mango trees as part of their Mango Fest 2010 http://mnib.gd. As part of the Mango Fest opening ceremony, the trees were ceremoniously planted by Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean, Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas, Minister for MNIB Hon. Michael Church, Minister for Tourism Hon. Glynis Roberts, MNIB Chairman Mr Byron Campbell and Mrs. Betty Findlay from the Food and Nutrition Council. Twenty trees (sea grape, sea almond etc) were recently donated by the Forestry Department, Ministry of Agriculture to assist in providing ample shade in the park for years to come. A handful of interested persons donated plants that fell victim to the extreme dry season and a handful of determined sheep. To date, in addition to other donations and the ones purchased by the artist for the project, the plantings are starting to take shape.
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| Seating area in park at dusk |
Current Status
In recent weeks, work has progressed towards completion. All inputs have been designed to allow line of sight from the road, as well as the stadium ring road. This is an important consideration as the park area is almost pitch black by late evening, so at some point I’ll have to contact Grenlec to see what they can do. Things adjust depending on materials and labour available, but I have included two images that explain the basic concept of the park – the sculpture and Carib stone views. UPDATE – Some of the plants are taking up legs and walking. Now I’ll have to get some more plants, or plant someone 24/7.
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| Sculpture and Carib Stone View |
Background on the artist
I am one of the artists responsible for the Amerindian wall on Lowther’s Lane in Saint George’s. I have also created the the cultural paintings installed at the General, Princess Alice and Princess Royal hospitals. Currently eight of my ShortKnee paintings represent Grenada at the Shanghai Expo 2010, China (see archive post). Volunteer labour and donated use of equipment to urgently needed to complete this project. Questions or information, please contact me at 473-456-1953, via skype @ suelingrenada or artstung@gmail.com.
Congratulations of realizing your profound vision of art being important and pivotal to a country’s National Heritage!
Paul Greenhall
founding member of The Greenhall’s Trust-W.I.
Your park is looking excellent Suelin! Congratulations on a very successful labour of love.
Just read the efforts to link art with culture/real life in Grenada. Long overdue. Will be monitoring its progress. Good luck!