The Jack Kane Centre Playground was due for renewal in 1995 – and I got the job. As artist in residence on Edinburgh District Council’s Playgrounds Team I was warned not to have too high expectations: “It might get burned down before we even open it”. Fortunately it never came to that – in fact, it was fairly well taken care of. My involvement of hundreds of local children and younger teenagers in the planning and construction phases may have played a role in that.
Totem entrance
The images carved into the totems relate to this history of the area as well as to its current use
Undulating fence
I even had the chance of designing a fence with varying height. The Playgrounds Team was very open to innovation.
Totem (detail)
Footstool, alternative entrance
The alternative entrance was designed to allow human access whilst hindering dogs. Cast concrete footstool (one of two)
Mosaic workshop
Mosaics in place on bin
Carving at ESW
Local children came down to Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop to carve with me, once a week for 4 weeks.
Casting workshop
Children mixed cement and sand and poured it into their clay-moulds
Entranceway tiles
Cast concrete tiles from moulds
Lunchtime
One of three sculptures carved by older teenagers, with my assistance. Their ideas.
The human bullet
One of three sculptures carved by older teenagers, with my assistance. Their ideas.
Fish
One of three sculptures carved by older teenagers, with my assistance. Their ideas.