The Croydon Phoenix, rising from the flames, may soon have a new home.

Hale Man’s Phoenix: symbolic of Croydon post-2011, this work may soon have a new home

Hale Man, who for the last 18 months has been the Whitgift Centre’s artist-in-residence, is in advance discussions with senior figures at Croydon Council for the removal and re-location of one of her most striking pieces of work, a large metal sculpture which has obvious symbolic resonance with what the borough has been going through since the riots of 2011.

During her residency, Man has been conducting a series of art workshops in a vacant retail space in the Whitgift Centre, while continuing her own work, which often features metal sculpture worked in a forge. The Croydon Phoenix has been sculpted from hundreds of fine strands, ribbons and sheets of copper.

But Man’s tenancy in the Whitgift Centre is due to end later this summer – coinciding with the likely closure of the shopping centre as work gets underway for the £1 billion redevelopment work for the Hammerson and Westfield super-mall.

Man was understandably concerned that the centrepiece of her recent work should find a new home for display. And after intervention by Inside Croydon, the artist has been contacted by the council to discuss the re-location of The Phoenix to a public space in the town centre. 

You have a chance to view the Phoenix for yourself next Sunday, June 7, as Hale Man invites you to enjoy a picnic in her art gallery, an opportunity to enjoy lunch in a new art space, to create your own picture of transformation and take part in the art competition.

Join Hale Man in her gallery for a picnic next Sunday

There will also be a poet, Charles B Wordsmith, who will be interested in hearing your views of Croydon, which he’ll make use of, in order to write a new work An Ode to Croydon.

The winner of the art competition will be announced in the gallery at 3pm by Hale Man.

Contributions for lunch is £3 per person.

Venue – Artist’s Studio Elements of Transformation, Units 50-51, Whitgift Centre (opposite Beanies).

• To book your place at the event, please email admin@hale-man.com by Wednesday, June 3.

• Inside Croydon Events: for dates and links to what’s happening in and around Croydon, updated daily, click here

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