In a celebration of creativity and community engagement, Katherine Bouleau, a Fine Art student at the University of the Creative Arts (UCA) Farnham, has been named the winner of the inaugural Farrow Public Art Award. The announcement was made by the Mayor of Farnham, recognizing Katherine’s innovative design for a public art installation along Farnham’s Borelli Walk.
A Design Inspired by Nature and Local Heritage
Katherine’s winning proposal, titled ‘Five Fishes,’ draws deep inspiration from the natural environment and geological features of the River Wey, as well as the historical connections of Charles Borelli to Farnham’s Arts and Crafts movement. The centerpiece of her sculpture is an alder tree cone, crafted from bronze or fossilised limestone, supported by three bronze bulrushes. Water flows from the top of the cone, with water-spouting fishes, mayflies, caddisflies, and a kingfisher attached to the bulrush stems, creating a dynamic and interactive piece that celebrates local wildlife and waterways.
Reflecting on her win, Katherine shared: “I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as the winner of the first Farrow Public Art Award. My design was inspired by the stream that runs through my garden, which has been my outdoor studio and with which I have been co-creating as a living entity over the past year. This process of careful observation and coexistence has reinforced how all species, including human beings, are critically interconnected, and allowed me to intimately observe the wildlife that inhabits our local waterways. I hope that my design inspires people to connect to the natural world and to remember that we too are a part of nature, not apart from it.”
Competition Highlights Student Creativity and Ambition
The Farrow Public Art Award invited students to respond to a specific location on Farnham’s Borelli Walk, proposing a public art installation that would engage the community and reflect the site’s unique character. Katherine’s design stood out among four other finalists: Kushi Halai, James Lord, Ivan Wai Laam Chang, and Ahmed Umer. Each finalist presented a maquette (small model) and a proposal explaining how their work related to the site and how the public might interact with it.
John Neale, Chair of the Farnham Public Art Trust, sponsors of the award, emphasized the competition’s purpose: “We wanted to encourage students to imagine what public art can be, while practising what would be required for public art commissions in the real world. Our award isn’t a commission; it is for an idea and the successful communication of it. We wanted to give the students the freedom to be ambitious, with credible and professional proposals.”
Supporting Education and the Arts
The winning student received a £500 prize, generously donated by The Estelle Trust, a charity founded by the Farrow family to support education and the arts. Sue Farrow, a long-time active member of the Farnham community and founding member of the Public Art Trust, alongside artist Jonathan Parsons, helped establish the award and served as a judge for the student entries.
The models and proposals from all finalists are currently on display at an exhibition in the UCA Foyer Gallery from 17 to 29 April, Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm. This exhibition offers the public a unique opportunity to engage with the creative process and envision the future of public art in Farnham.
Explore Fine Art at UCA
Katherine’s achievement highlights the vibrant creative community at UCA Farnham and the university’s commitment to nurturing talent in the arts. For those inspired by Katherine’s success and interested in pursuing a career in Fine Art, UCA offers a range of courses designed to develop artistic skills and professional practice. To learn more about studying Fine Art at UCA, visit the course pages.
The Farrow Public Art Award not only celebrates student creativity but also strengthens the connection between art, community, and the natural environment in Farnham. Katherine Bouleau’s ‘Five Fishes’ promises to be a lasting tribute to the beauty and biodiversity of the local landscape, inspiring future generations to appreciate and protect the world around them.
