Super Wonder Shrine is on the move
28 October 24
A vibrant, temporary public artwork, that has brought the glorious technicolour design of internationally acclaimed artist Morag Myerscough to Weston-super-Mare’s High Street, is being carefully dismantled this week in preparation for a move to a permanent home.
‘Super Wonder Shrine’ will go into storage until it takes up permanent residence at a new, exciting destination within the town, where it will continue to shine brightly and radiate joy.
The Shrine was officially opened in December 2022, at a launch event attended by the artist, community members involved in the project, local councillors and the general public. For nearly two years, it has animated the pedestrianised space on the corner of the High Street and Regent Street, an area known locally as Big Lamp Corner.
Erected in the artist’s trademark timber-built style and adorned with bold and colourful patterns, words and sentiments that celebrate Weston, the Super Wonder Shrine was co-created with local artists and residents in a community collaboration led locally by visual artist and social maker Megan Clark-Bagnall.
The final painting and pattern application of the Shrine was undertaken by local creatives, together with over 45 students from Weston College with hands-on guidance from Morag Myerscough in what was a genuine skills and community-building process. The bandstand-shaped structure was crafted and built by Weston-based master joiner Simon Birtwistle and local maker Shelley Jane.
Fiona Matthews, creative director at Super Culture, said: “It has been a real delight to bring Super Wonder Shrine to Weston and to see Morag Myerscough’s iconic artwork give so much pleasure to local residents and visitors alike.
“However, it was always intended to be a temporary fixture on the High Street, and after two years, now is the right time for it to move to a permanent home. Watch this space for news about the exciting re-location plans afoot!”
The public realm artwork was commissioned as part of ‘21st Century super Shrines’, a pioneering heritage project launched in May 2021, managed by Culture Weston – now known as Super Culture. It was part of North Somerset Council’s four-year High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) cultural programme, and was funded by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Over the past twenty two months, Super Culture has presented a curated programme of free, outdoor pop-up events at the Shrine, alongside its popularity as a busking spot, meeting point and a happy, colourful place to rest awhile.
Super Wonder Shrine’s remaining days in the town centre were celebrated during the recent Good Grief Weston festival at ‘A Space to Remember’, a fitting finale event before the artwork enjoys its next lease of life at its new site.
Lead image by Paul Blakemore