Community groups unveil LOVE LOCKS sculpture in Blackwood

To celebrate the ease of government restrictions after COVID 19 lockdowns Blackwood Miners’ Institute teamed up with NONaffArt to unveil the LOVE LOCKS sculpture, currently situated at the heart of Blackwood Retail Park located opposite of the dragon brick circle and aside of local super market ASDA. The Love Locks project was launched 25th January 2021 a date known as Dydd Santes Dwynwen the Welsh equivalent to Valentines Day.

The sculpture commissioned by Blackwood Miners institute commemorates the efforts of all participants who took part in the LOVE LOCK project during January’s lockdown, the aim of this project was to encourage the community to use their imagination to breathe new life into old padlocks while giving them a fun activity to encourage wellbeing.

400 were packs sent out to community groups including partners such as The Fusion Network, St Gwlady’s Church, The Parent’s Network and Risca Volunteers. The project even went gone global with three padlocks sent over in from Arizona!

The eye-catching LOVE LOCK sculpture designed and fabricated by NONaffArt encases and displays decorative padlocks created by all the participants that took part in the project. The sculpture itself is created using steel with four hearts either side of a laser cut tree, symbolizing a tree of life and cut by a local welsh firm called Laser Labs in Bridgend. The sculpture not only commemorates all those who took part during lockdown, but also offers space for more padlocks to be hung personally by members of the community that may have missed out on the project submission.

Cllr. Sean Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Tourism said, “It is fantastic to work with local artists to create and host such a thought provoking display in Blackwood. This project has drawn the community together to become a part of creating history. I am sure many  people will enjoy this piece of art for many years, huge congratulations to all involved in this creative project!”

Tania Bryan, Director of NONaffArt said “Love locks are traditionally a symbol of love and commitment in ancient culture.  We wanted to use the theme of locks not just because it was a play on the idea of ‘lockdown’ but also because it represents security and love, which are so important to our communities during this difficult time.”

‘FILL A HEART WITH LOVE’ Members of the public still have time to contribute to the project by visiting and hanging a personalised padlock directly on a to the sculpture in Blackwood.