FORGED: Public Art in the Tees Valley

For the past three years, we've been working on FORGED, a new initiative from Middlesbrough Art Week and Navigator North rooted in our region's history of making and creativity, with the aim of bringing bold public art to audiences across the UK. Backed by Tees Valley Combined Authority, the project is helping to put Tees Valley on the map as a national hub for public art.

Through an action-research approach, the programme has looked closely at the commission and fabrication supply chain, working to lower access barriers for artists entering the public realm and increase engagement from stakeholders across the region. Alongside supporting artists through new public art commissions, we've developed the FORGED Directory, a curated list of local material suppliers and fabricating businesses, and published our Public Art Action Plan with Beam.

This month, we brought it all together over two days at The Auxiliary, gathering artists, fabricators and commissioners to explore public art and how it shapes a place.

Day one was packed with panel talks and conversations hosted by our favourite Stella Hall. Throughout the day we heard from key voices, including: Vicky Holbrough, Adam Shaw, Rueben Kench, Liam Slevin, Edel O'Reilly, Kate Watson, Frances Smith, Alia Gargum, David Stupple, and Stuart Langley via video.

The day also marked the unveiling of Alia Gargum’s new sculpture, I Remember Libya, which was commissioned through FORGED with support from the Henry Moore Foundation. A highlight was hearing Alia in conversation with David, the fabricator, as they discussed their working process.

Day two was led by Sue Loughlin and Catherine Howell, with hands-on planting in the Auxiliary garden and more conversation about public art.