In early 2007, the London-based sculptor Ekkehard Altenburger was selected to undertake a bold public artwork for the Rose Garden site located adjacent to the nearby Hermitage Amphitheatre overlooking the River Medway. Ekkehard’s proposal for a permanent sculptural work created from Portuguese marble and resin will create a welcoming environment for visitors to the garden. The work entitled ‘Morning Thoughts’ will be the third permanent public artwork commissioned as part of the Borough Council’s Elemental public art programme and is expected to be launched in March 2008.

To accompany the artwork, Ekkehard was commissioned to undertake an education programme, choosing to work with visually impaired adults at the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) in Maidstone. Durng September and October 2007, Ekkeard delivered a series of sculpture workshops, teaching basic carving techniques to enable participants from KAB to create self-portraits from the same imported Portuguese marble being used for ‘Morning Thoughts’.

In December, the stunning sculptures produced in the workshops were exhibited in Maidstone town centre at All Saints Church, which overlooks the Rose Garden site. To accompany the exhibition, a series of photographs and filmwork captured by Ekkehard during the workshops will be shown alongside the sculptures. 

The Night Flight exhibition was free and open to the public. All accompanying exhibition texts were available in Braille format.

Night Flight is funded by the Channel Corridor Partnership. It is part of Maidstone Borough Council’s Elemental public art programme, which aims to bring contemporary public art to an 8km area of the River Medway in Maidstone. 

Kent Association for the Blind supports blind and visually impaired people to live independent lives. The charity provides a comprehensive rehabilitation service mainly on an outreach basis, but is supported by the Sight Centre in Maidstone offering a one-stop-shop for anyone experiencing sight loss, giving people access to a range of support and advice.