Commission unveiled (From Stroud News and Journal)

Commission unveiled

THE inaugural Stroud District Arts Award commission was unveiled at the Subscription Rooms last week.

Winning artist Cleo Mussi's exquisite mosaic, entitled Yan Tan Tetherer, has been installed in the foyer of he building. The name comes from an old Celtic sheep scoring system and the mosaic is richly detailed with numerous features of life in the Five Valleys and elements of the area's history.

In it, one will find a couple of inquisitive-looking sheep, mention of the red Stroud cloth that clothed the army for years, mention of the waterways and words from local writers Jamila Gavin, Dennis Gould and Jeff Cloves, amongst other things.

"The central panel incorporates a number of rural references," said Cleo Mussi, "as well as including ceramic shards from a selection of local potteries: Lansdown, Taena, Jane Vernon and Bridget Williams.

"With Dennis Gould's words, his letter press prints were transferred directly onto the ceramic and incorporated like tattoos."

She said she was delighted to have won the commission.

"I had to make an extra effort with it for Stroud," she said, "as I'm likely to meet the people who see it in the street!"

Cllr Elizabeth Bird, Stroud's cabinet member for health and wellbeing, who unveiled the mosaic, said: "We are delighted to recognise and support the work of artists in the Stroud district. The mosaic by Cleo Mussi looks magnificent."

She also said that the award is to return this year, but that the council is still looking into what form it will take.

Stroud's eclectic artistic community, from writers to potters, photographers to actors, could potentially be in with a chance to enter their work this year.