Aardman, the award-winning UK studio, has entered into a new creative partnership that will produce sculpture trails using characters from its famous TV shows. Treasured figures such as Morph and Shaun the Sheep will be replicated throughout towns and cities across Britain, starting January 2022.
The characters will provide a unique 3D canvas for art for a carefully curated blend of well-known and emerging artists to make their own. The new trails will further Wild in Art’s mission to bring art out of the gallery and create shared experiences, whilst the learning programmes and activations develop the next generation of artists.
Art is a giant part of Morph’s character, with his origins causing havoc on Take Hart, the iconic BBC children’s art show. As a champion of creativity, the art trails are an ideal collaboration to get the nation creating.
The first event, in partnership with North Tyneside Council, will see the installation of “The Morph of the North” with twenty 1.8m tall Morph statues decorated by artists commissioned from all across the country. A wide range of themes will be showcased including floral, character designs and plays on the word ‘Morph’.
The aim of Wild in Art is to drive footfall into the High Street and city centres, helping sustain the local economy, encouraging families to get outdoors, and promoting an interest in art and creativity in the community.
Supporting local causes
This latest installation is the second Wild in Art trail to take place in North Tyneside, following the successful Winter 2020 delivery of “The Snowman and The Snowdog”, based on the Raymond Briggs characters.
Wild in Art’s co-founder and managing director Charlie Langhorne says: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Aardman and to bring these internationally renowned characters to art trails across the UK.
“Morph and Shaun the Sheep will bring colour and creativity to host locations. Each sculpture will be a conversation starter, with a different story to tell, allowing residents and visitors to explore their town or city from a different perspective. It’s a COVID-friendly way for people to socialise, support local artists and our charity partners/a local charity and enjoy some exercise in the fresh air.
“We have got some exciting plans in development and we look forward to revealing more host locations in the coming months.”
Rob Goodchild, Commercial Director for Aardman adds: “We are very happy to be working with the great team at Wild in Art to bring more art trails featuring our characters to the streets of the UK, including the inaugural Morph art trail – a character that has encouraged creativity in generations of kids since the seventies. We look forward to finding fun and creative angles to connect our characters with each location and inspire people, young and old, to get creative.”
The first sculpture trail to feature Morph launched on 29 January 2022 with the arrival of ‘Morph’s Epic Art Adventure’ in North Tyneside, UK.
Last year Aardman created the Wetland Heroes mobile app for WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire, UK.
