Brighton-based artist Hiroko Lewis has won the commission to create a major artwork for one of Kent’s most prestigious new office buildings.
The statement work will be installed in law firm Cripps’ new headquarters in Royal Wells Park, Tunbridge Wells, the first office building to have been built in the town for more than 25 years.
Titled ‘Resonance’ the piece consists of a series of large unframed panels combining to form an overall composition, painted in a combination of vibrant oils with gold and other metal leaf patination. Hiroko said: “It will feature the landscape of local Kentish woods and trees, bringing the outside world into the interior office space, creating a harmony between the two.
“The paintings will not be fully representational of their subject to encourage the viewer to be interactive and interpret them as they wish. I have designed it as a statement piece to represent the fact that Cripps is locally rooted and deeply committed to the town.”
The paintings will be positioned along two adjacent walls in the reception area of the 40,000 sq ft state of the art building, which is on the site of the former Kent & Sussex Hospital. They will be visible from the pavement and road outside as well as inside.
“We wanted an artwork that would become a talking point for staff, visitors and passers-by and which was sensitive to the space as well as reflecting our values and commitment to the town,” said Cripps’ managing partner Gavin Tyler.
“We had many entries to our competition and Hiroko’s stood out as fulfilling the brief perfectly as well as promising to be a stunningly attractive artwork. It should be installed by the end of January.”
Tunbridge Wells has been home to Cripps since it was founded in 1852 and has recently been based in five different offices. It has taken more than 10 years for the firm to find suitable new space in the town centre where all 300 Tunbridge Wells staff could be under one roof – so the move marks an exciting and major step in the firm’s long history.
The firm also has offices in Kings Hill, London and Sandwich.
The new office contact details are:
Cripps LLP, Number 22, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8AS
Tel – +44 (0)1892 515 121
Fax +44 (0)1892 544 878
