Oxfam boosted by Giro auction at Market Yard

A total of 20 colourful bicycle sculptures were placed at locations across the borough in May and June to commemorate the world famous cycle race. The unique outdoor exhibition, commissioned by Larne Borough Council, aimed to inspire civic pride by creating a special bicycle parade art trail. The sculptures were individually designed and decorated in a wide range of styles by several talented artists, local schools, groups and members of the public. Larne artists Jon Lashford, Miguel Neves, Brendan McAfee, Dawn Aston, Iain Baldwin, Geraldine Connon, Margaret Matthews, Lauren Osborne, Bernie McAllister and Robert Craig, as well as pupils from Larne Grammar and Roddensvale School, all helped create these wonderful displays. And the pieces of public art were auctioned off at Larne Market Yard recently, along with lamp post banners and flags produced for the Giro celebrations. Top bids included £180 for Miguel Neves sculpture ‘Global 69’ and £150 for Bernie McAllister’s ‘Pink Borough’. A total of £1160 was raised, with all proceeds being donated to Oxfam. Sadly, two of the 20 sculptures were unable to be auctioned off, after they were destroyed by vandals last month. The sculptures names and the artists responsible were: 1)’Blooming Giro’ by Freda Kemp, 2) ‘Wheels on Fire and Giro Hound of Ulster’ by Jon Lashford, 3) ‘Sofia’ by Geraldine Connon, 4) ‘Bicycle Memories’ by members of the public, 5) ‘Italian Greats’ by Lorraine Agass, 6) ‘Risplendere’ by Margaret Matthews, 7) ‘Bikescape, Brendan McAfee, 8) ‘Bikers, Butterflies and Bees’ by Dawn and Katie Aston, 9) ‘Liquid Colour’ by Iain Baldwin of Liquid Colour Designs, 10) ‘Pink Rider’ by Roddensvale junior pupils, 11) ‘Untitled’ by Lauren Osborne, 12) ‘Global 69’ by Miguel Neves, 13) ‘Pink Signatures’ by members of the public, 14) ‘Hand Prints’ by children of the Larne Borough, 15) ‘Pink Borough’ by Bernie McAllister, 16) ‘Pink is an Attitude’ by Roddensvale senior pupils, 17) ‘Larne Grammar School’ by Larne Grammar pupils, 18) ‘Viva L’Italia’ by Robert Craig, 19) ‘The Gobbins’ by Larne Borough Council, 20) ‘Grease Lightening’.