'Ginger Dan' installed at Towneley

International artists Grennan and Sperandio's new sculpture from their year long project ‘Town/House’, is now installed for all visitors to come and see.

 

‘Ginger Dan’, a saucy sculpture of a woman in her underwear leaning on a huge ball of hundreds and thousands, is perhaps one of the more thought provoking pieces of the series.

 

So far the acclaimed artists have created sculptures representing Burnley’s nightlife, coat of arms, industrial heritage, its’ Court rooms and now its domestic history.

 

This is their fifth sculpture in a series of seven, which sees them merging items from the collections at Towneley Hall with everyday things found in the town, to create unique artworks that represent contemporary Burnley, to run until May next year.

 

The early 20^th century figure of a woman in her underwear shows a private moment viewed for pleasure, but also signifies the physical liberation often felt by the dress, such as corsets, of the time.

 

She’s looking at a ball of coloured sugar strands, or ‘hundreds and thousands’, which conjures up thoughts of fun, innocence and domesticity.

 

These sweets remind us of childrens birthday parties, street parties and other celebrations. Burnley’s domestic history is largely working class, dominated by women and children. This sculpture represents the Burnley of then and of now.

 

Hundreds and thousands are sold by a Burnley wholesaler, and ‘Ginger Dan’, a local Harle Syke corner shop owner between 1907 and the 1940s, would have certainly stocked them amongst his other toffees and sweets. 

 

The piece will be located in Towneley Hall’s Burnley room from December 2^nd until January 13^th, but will be being installed from Monday November 28^th.

 

Councillor Jeff Sumner, Burnley Council’s Executive Member for Leisure and Culture said:
“This piece is really symbolic of Burnley’s past, not least as it is named after a local man who will have been known to so many of Burnley’s older residents.

“It is a piece with many meanings and a real addition to the Towneley collection.

“Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit it, and to see the beautiful Towneley Hall in its full Christmas glory.”

 

More information can found at www.creativityworks.info, on www.artsmap.org.uk or call Towneley Hall on 01282 424213.

 

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