A range of new artworks – comprising a series of spectacular, specially-commissioned sculptures and murals – are currently in the process of being installed across the transformational Station Hill public realm in Reading.

These works are part of the Station Hill public art programme, devised by cultural placemaking agency Futurecity, which are being delivered by the joint venture between Lincoln Property Company (‘Lincoln’) and MGT Investment Management (‘MGT’) within the wider 2.5m sq ft mixed-use development in the centre of the town and adjacent to Reading station.  The installations will create a new art trail across two acres of newly-created public realm, linking the station with the town centre.  They represent an investment of £1.5 million and will be accessible to the local community in the coming weeks, offering everyone visiting the ability to enjoy a new gateway destination in the heart of Reading.

Those passing through the site can expect to see Stuart Melrose and Kev Munday’s two colourful LED murals: ‘Rivers, Ruins & Regency’ – positioned close to the junction of Friars Walk and Friar Street and ‘Royals, Residents & a Rock Festival’ – located at Station Hill.

The Friars Walk mural depicts notable figures, like King Henry I, who commissioned the construction of Reading Abbey; novelist and poet Mary Russell Mitford; peace campaigner and politician Phoebe Cusden; and William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor and pioneer of photography.  The mural also highlights local icons including Huntley & Palmers biscuits, the World War II memorial cemetery and the Hand of St James.

The Station Hill mural features celebrities like Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais, Kate Middleton and Marianne Faithfull, alongside local figures such as businesswoman Tutu Melaku, scientist Dr Ethlywn Trewevas, table tennis champion Matthew Syed and Neil Papworth, sender of the first-ever SMS message. Recognisable Reading landmarks such as the Hexagon Theatre, the Oracle and – of course – the magnificent ONE Station Hill are also depicted.

The colours of the two murals will shift and animate throughout the year to celebrate different events, providing a dynamic, ever-evolving visual experience.

Rachael Champion and Jonathan Trayte’s Seed sculpture – a bold marigold seed silhouette in the heart of the new public realm – references Sutton’s Seeds and 19^th Century Reading, merging botany, history and image microscopy.  The artwork features three orange steel plates on a five-metre cylindrical plinth that doubles as a seating area.  Made from bespoke terrazzo with recycled brick, the plinth honours Reading’s brickmaking heritage.  Its surface is embellished with nine bronze reliefs of magnified seed textures, chosen through public engagement and selected by the artists and botanist Dr Alastair Culham, Director of the University of Reading’s Herbarium.

The surfaces of the seeds were imaged with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at London’s Museum of Natural History.  The scans were modelled in clay and then cast into bronze.

NEON’s ‘Pivotal’ is a monumental kinetic artwork outside ONE Station Hill inspired by flags, symbolizing a bright and creative era for Reading.  Comprising of 73 brightly coloured fins, each with a kinetic surface that moves in the wind, creating a dynamic and ever-changing display.  At night, animated lighting within the core of each fin will transform the piece.  The large scale and vivid colours are designed to act as a beacon for both Reading residents and the 20 million passengers that pass through the station each year.

First set out in the Station Hill Public Art and Cultural Placemaking strategy devised by Futurecity in 2022, the artworks combine to provide a gateway to the town’s creative and multifaceted cultural offer. The resulting Public Art Programme has been curated by Futurecity and delivered in close consultation with a special Advisory Group comprising members and officers from Reading Borough Council as well as representatives from local arts organisations.  The consultation programme has meant that the artworks integrate seamlessly with the wider Station Hill development and the significant area of new public space it has created, as well as providing a series of strong links to the people and heritage of Reading.

The Lincoln MGT JV is looking forward to seeing locals and visitors alike engaging with the public artwork once the area is open to the public.  They will have unlimited opportunities to explore the unique history and culture that has served as inspiration for the artworks.  Further details about the public realm and dedicated events and programmes related to the artworks will be shared in due course and links to detailed insights into how each artwork has been produced will be provided via dedicated QR codes.

Lee Fearnhead, Director of Construction for UK & Europe at Lincoln Property Company, and on behalf of the Lincoln MGT JV, said: “We are looking forward to unveiling these works of art to the public officially at some stage early next year as part of Lincoln MGT’s dedication to creating a vibrant district that establishes a new gateway to the town.  Station Hill is set to transform Reading.  It creates a new destination for the public to enjoy, representing some £50 million invested into social infrastructure and landscaping, around 95,000 sq ft of lifestyle-led retail and leisure space and the new public art installations which showcase Reading’s rich cultural heritage, instilling a sense of local pride, as well as providing a fantastic environment for people to meet and relax.”

Lorraine Farrelly, Chair of the Station Hill Public Art Advisory Group and formerly Foundation Professor of Architecture at the University of Reading, said: “The Station Hill Public Art programme has been a unique opportunity for the new development to include public art that reflects the communities of Reading.  The artists involved have been part of a process of discussions with an Advisory Group that has included a range of voices from members of Reading Council to local arts organisations.  All the artists have positively engaged in these discussions, refining concepts and ideas.  The artworks have included participation and comment from community groups including local schools and the University of Reading.  The intention is that there will be a legacy from this development that will add to the vibrant art community that already exists in Reading, ensuring that the new development is part of the wider town and community of Reading, culturally and socially.”

Mark Davy, Founder of Futurecity and Station Hill cultural lead, said: “In partnership with Lincoln Property Company and MGT Investment Management, Futurecity has envisioned a multifaceted cultural framework that embodies the spirit of Reading.

“Engaging with local stakeholders, including artists, cultural organisations, and community leaders, this strategy has delivered artistic projects which not only enhance the visual landscape but also reflect the town’s diverse voices and histories. From immersive murals at key entry points to interactive, multisensory sculptures, Futurecity has set new precedents for public art in Reading, establishing a model that can inspire broader town-centre initiatives.  Station Hill will not only redefine Reading’s skyline but also its cultural narrative, creating a vibrant, inclusive space where art, community, and urban life converge.  Through these commissions, Reading will showcase its rich cultural heritage while projecting a bold vision for the future.”