95% score for celebration of Redditch Mosaics

The results from a survey around the famous Eduardo Paolozzi mosaics in Redditch have now been collated and will be available to view as part of an upcoming pop-up event. Survey results will be available to view as part of Arts in Redditch’s forthcoming Pop-Up Gallery in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre which opens from November 24th and will be hosted until December 4th in the unit opposite Clinton Cards.

The colourful mosaics above the Range, Next and Coffee #1 in the town’s main shopping centre are set to turn 40 in April 2023 and the survey was conducted ahead of plans to celebrate this milestone.

Redditch Borough Council and Arts in Redditch collaborated on the survey, which investigated people’s views about the mosaics, their visibility, and ways that they might be celebrated.

The survey was conducted by Niall Gallen, a doctoral candidate and researcher at the University of Birmingham as part of a placement project with the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Niall said: “Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey. We had 310 responses which gave us a good base to understand the views and opinions of local residents. There’s still some work to do on reporting these results but if anyone would like to review the current findings, I will be at the pop-up gallery space on Saturday 3rd and am happy to discuss the project.”

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, Cllr Jo Beecham, said: “The Paolozzi Mosaics are an important part of our cultural history, so I am pleased that some of the initial findings from this survey suggested that there is still a strong affinity to the works among respondents. I look forward to being involved with plans for the celebration of these wonderful mosaics next year.”

Other findings include:

  • 97% of those surveyed claimed to like the works, with many praising their colourful motif and their uniqueness to the town.
  • 43% thought the works were not visible or were unsure about their visibility. Many of these respondents suggested that improving information about the works would help to rectify this, with some noting that reproductions of the works may make them more accessible to residents.
  • 76% of respondents thought the works met their original intentions of celebrating the history and future of the New Town
  • An almost unanimous 95% agreed that the works deserved to be celebrated.

Niall will be available to discuss the results and the project with residents on Saturday the 3rd of December between 10am and 4pm in the Arts in Redditch Pop-Up Gallery space.

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