Artistic Duo Have Designs on Lincoln Knights
Just one year after moving from California to Lincoln to set up their own business, Amy Sayer and Jon Garside are busy bringing their knights to life as part of the upcoming Lincoln Knights’ Trail.
The pair, who are the founders of Lincoln-based graphic design studio eighty3five, have both been commissioned to decorate one of the fibreglass sculptures that will be installed across Lincoln to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln and the sealing of the Charter of the Forest.
Amy is working on a ‘Battle of Lincoln Knight’ which is her design interpretation of a 13th century knight.
She said: “I’ve spoken to local historians to help me understand what a knight during this period would have looked like. I’ve kept my design clean and bold and I’m using silver spray paint to make the armour stand out.
“I’m also incorporating the strong colours from the Lincoln flag to reflect the city and I like to imagine my knight standing tall and protecting the castle and the Cathedral Quarter.”
Amy’s design is being sponsored by the Bailgate Area Guild & Steep Hill Independents, which includes over 200 independent businesses in Lincoln’s Cathedral and Cultural Quarters, while Jon’s ‘Knight Jigsaw’ is being sponsored by Daniel Charles Construction Ltd.
Jon’s creation illustrates the detailed style of his design work. He said: “Despite having worked in both China and the US, I was born and bred in Lincoln and admire the community spirit here.
“I liked the concept of using jigsaw pieces to represent the building of a strong community and the pieces in my design will reveal the Lincolnshire flag, which symbolises the people of Lincoln.”
Amy added: “We relocated to Lincoln from California in August 2015 for several reasons, but mainly because we missed our family and friends.
“We had the adventure of a lifetime while out there but, after more than three years, we knew it was time to come home.
“After some time spent assessing our career options, we decided to follow our dreams and set up our own design studio. The response has been really positive so far and we’ve already worked on some interesting projects.
“Lincoln is a great city to be in, especially because it is continually evolving and there are so many new developments under way.
“Jon and I are so excited to be part of such a monumental campaign and we can’t wait to see all of the knights being officially unveiled and the buzz they will create amongst residents and visitors alike.”
The Lincoln Knights’ Trail is a Wild in Art event organised by Lincoln BIG and will form a mass participation public art event in the city.
Designed and created by Wild in Art’s Creative Director Chris Wilkinson in the style of a Lewis Chess piece, the Knight sculpture is the perfect canvas through which to unite visual art and this celebration of the country’s legal history.
For more information about eighty3five visit: www.eighty3five.co.uk
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Notes to Editors:
About The Lincoln Knights’ Trail
The Lincoln Knights’ Trail commemorates the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln Fair and the sealing of the Charter of the Forest in 1217.
The event is presented by Lincoln BIG and will see 35 life-sized decorated Knights displayed as an art trail across the city from May until mid-September 2017.
At the end of the event, all the life-sized Knights will be auctioned to raise money for The Nomad Trust.
About Wild in Art
Wild in Art is one of the leading creative producers of spectacular, mass-appeal public arts events, which engage residents and tourists alike, through the creation of city-wide trails of uniquely painted sculptures.
From crashes of rhinos in Sydney, and parliaments of owls in Birmingham to BookBenches in London and Commonwealth Games Cylde mascots in Glasgow, Wild in Art events have animated cities and enthralled people the world over, raising over £8 million for charity partners along the way.
Wild in Art also provides unique art education resources which engage and inspire young people and enhance learning across the curriculum.
Wild in Art events include: 2016: the Great Big Rhino Project (Paignton and Exeter), Herd of Sheffield (Sheffield), Gnomes Unearthed (Hampton Court Palace Gardens), Snowdogs by the Sea (Brighton & Hove), Great North Snowdogs (Tyne & Wear). 2017: The Big Stampede (Hamilton), The Lincoln Knights’ Trail (Lincoln), The Big Sleuth (Birmingham), Sitting With Jane (Basingstoke).
www.wildinart.co.uk @Wild_in_Art
About Lincoln Business Improvement Group (Lincoln BIG)
Lincoln BIG aims to put Lincoln on the map as a retail and tourist destination and improve the experience of the city centre for those who live, work, invest, study and visit.
Lincoln BIG is bringing the Knights’ Trail to the city as part of the 2017 800th Anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Lincoln Fair and the sealing of Charter of the Forest.
Facebook.com/LincolnKnightsTrail @KnightsTrail17 www.knightstrail.com
About The EBP
The EBP is a Lincoln-based social enterprise developing the skills of young people. Through its many programmes, young people have entered the world of work better equipped and prepared for what lies ahead. The EBP works to ensure that all of its services provide young people with the opportunity to develop the skills that employers are looking for. Visit www.the-ebp.co.uk for more information.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ebpuk Twitter: @ebp_uk Instagram: @ebp_uk
About The Nomad Trust
The Nomad Trust currently operates Lincolnshire’s only Emergency Direct Access Night Shelter, two Charity Shops and Furniture Warehouse.
Lincolnshire YMCA merged with Nomad Trust in 2013 to help people secure and sustain tenancies in the city as well as providing ongoing support once housed. Visit www.nomadtrust.org.uk for more information
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomadtrust Twitter: @NomadTrust
For media information, please contact:
Zoe Lamb
Shooting Star
zoe@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
[eighty3five01KnightsTrail]
The Lincoln Knights’ Trail is a Wild in Art event brought to you by Lincoln BIG, in support of the Nomad Trust.
