The Norfolk Way Art Trail, an exciting series of artworks across the county

Flint by toyStudio is a series of mirrored totems placed around the grounds of the Norwich Arts Centre. The artwork is inspired by the organic forms of the knapped flint walls seen in the Grade 1 listed, 14^th century Church of St Swithin located nearby on St Benedict’s Street, an inescapable and enduring part of the history and landscape of Norfolk.

During the day, the mirrored surfaces reflect their immediate surroundings, creating a distorted mirror maze for visitors to experience and interact with. At night, the lights illuminate, and the mirror surfaces transform into infinity-like mirrors. Norwich-based illustrator, Ellen Harling, created the visible patterns on the artwork, inspired by community workshops which explored local architectural features.

You can see Flint in the churchyard of Norwich Arts Centre from 24 March 2023.

Honing Passage by Studio Sabine is created from two offset glass surfaces that reference the history of the area and the movement of railway carriages that used to travel on nearby tracks. Forming a void, the space between the panels, or ‘passage’, is designed to encourage interaction from visitors, as they are invited to fully immerse themselves in colour and reflection.  A unique place for the community to interact, reflect and enjoy nature, the passage embraces the beauty of the local landscape, framing the surroundings through a unique lens.

Outside of the passage, the mirrored surfaces reflect their environment without alteration, seamlessly blending the piece into nature. Inside, the walls act as lenses, filtering all it reflects through layers of colour.

You can experience Honing Passage at Honing Station from 29 March 2023.

Flock by toyStudio is a series of curved, metallic tubes, which vary in length and twist upwards around a larger central spiral. It is inspired by the flights of birds, schools of fish and the swarms of eels, which are synonymous with Diss Mere and the nearby River Waveney. The artwork further mirrors the movements of Diss’s own residents: just as the Mere’s wildlife has migrated to Diss, many different communities have settled in the town and shaped its culture and heritage.

You can find Flock at the mouth of Diss Mere from April 2023.

Iron Reef by Studio Maetherea at Reedham Ferry Inn is inspired by the nautical heritage of Reedham Ferry and is designed to interact with the surrounding landscape. The tides and the river currents will modify the material over time, changing colour and tones with the passing seasons.

The curved light metallic structure climbs to the sky and interacts with the wind. The vertical elements gently undulate, echoing the reeds on the horizon, inviting visitors to contemplate the season’s changes on the River Yare. Winter tides mirror the artwork, vanishing the line between the land and the water.

Iron Reef will be open to visitors in June 2023.