Help us choose new artwork for West Slope

Share your feedback on a new piece of public artwork on the University of Sussex campus.

Public art for Sussex Lawns

We’re commissioning a new public artwork on our new West Slope development. This permanent installation will celebrate our community’s natural surroundings, history, and future, contributing to a sense of place for all who study, work, and visit Sussex.

West Slope concept designs

Below, you’ll find five concept designs developed by a group of artists shortlisted for this exciting project. We invite you to explore each one, learn more about the artists, and share your thoughts using the form provided. Your feedback will help inform our selection panel, which includes representatives from across the University and Brighton & Hove City Council.

To learn more about each concept and the artists behind them, visit the display behind the Library Café from Monday 19 May to Sunday 2 June.

These early-stage concepts offer a glimpse into the creative direction of each artist. When the final concept design is selected, the artist will collaborate with the University and the Council to create a final design, which will be installed at the heart of the West Slope development, on Sussex Lawns, in 2027-2028.

tumulus (top) a grassed mound with a cut though featuring a seat made of brick on flint and dew pond (bottom), a shallow dished, dry depression, lined with chalk and seeded with native grass.

 

Chris Drury - tumulus (top) a grassed mound with a cut though featuring a seat made of brick on flint and dew pond (bottom), a shallow dished, dry depression, lined with chalk and seeded with native grass

location of tumulus and dew pond on Sussex Lawns

 

Chris Drury - location of tumulus and dew pond on Sussex Lawns

Example of tumulus in a green area

 

Chris Drury - example of tumulus in a green area

Glass and steel sculpture of coloured glass, that creates light across the grass

 

Kerry Lemon - glass and steel sculpture of coloured glass, that creates light across the grass

Glass and steel sculpture lit during the night

 

Kerry Lemon - glass and steel sculpture lit during the night

Large stone bench in flint and red brick in a fluid ribbon shape

 

Kerry Lemon - large stone bench in flint and red brick in a fluid ribbon shape

Sequence of linked arches made from perforated steel filled with climbing plants

 

Will Nash - sequence of linked arches made from perforated steel filled with climbing plants

Side profile of arches

 

Will Nash - side profile of arches

Native flowering plants and seating that double up as habitat shelters for nesting insects clustered around the arch base.

 

Will Nash - native flowering plants and seating that double up as habitat shelters for nesting insects clustered around the arch base

The Links - interlocking concrete rings where sections have been pushed up out of the ground and one functions as seating

 

Lucy Strachan - The Links - interlocking concrete rings where sections have been pushed up out of the ground and one functions as seating

Location of the Links on Sussex Lawns

 

Lucy Strachan - location of The Links on Sussex Lawns

Side profile of the Links on Sussex Lawns

 

Lucy Strachan - side profile of the Links on Sussex Lawns

Sketch of ‘Meeting Place’ reflective sphere

 

Kevin Atherton - sketch of ‘Meeting Place’ reflective sphere

Sketch of ‘Meeting Place’ reflective sphere with two figures

 

Kevin Atherton - sketch of ‘Meeting Place’ reflective sphere with two figures

Reflective sphere on lawn

 

Kevin Atherton - previous example of artwork similar to proposal

  • Tumulus (top) a grassed mound with a cut though featuring a seat made of brick on flint and dew pond (bottom), a shallow dished, dry depression, lined with chalk and seeded with native grass.
  • Location of tumulus and dew pond on Sussex Lawns
  • Example of tumulus in a green area
  • Glass and steel sculpture of coloured glass, that creates light across the grass
  • Glass and steel sculpture lit during the night
  • Large stone bench in flint and red brick in a fluid ribbon shape
  • Sequence of linked arches made from perforated steel filled with climbing plants
  • Side profile of arches
  • Native flowering plants and seating that double up as habitat shelters for nesting insects clustered around the arch base.
  • The Links - interlocking concrete rings where sections have been pushed up out of the ground and one functions as seating
  • Location of the Links on Sussex Lawns
  • Side profile of the Links on Sussex Lawns
  • Sketch of ‘Meeting Place’ reflective sphere
  • Sketch of ‘Meeting Place’ reflective sphere with two figures
  • Previous example of artwork similar to proposal