Rochford Art Collector Series, commissioned by Rochford District Council, devised by Stuart Bowditch and Damien Robinson.

For this commission, I created nine collectable Rochford ‘hieroglyphs’; symbolic representations of Rochford’s built environment, using three-dimensional drawing software. Formally, they take inspiration from industrial die casts, in a celebration of the town’s historical relationship with Matchbox toy manufacturing at Lesney’s factory. 

The phrase 'Start to change your standards of working and living' is taken from a 1969 Lesney’s recruitment advert directed specifically at the “Ladies” of Rochford. I was taken with its progressive message of aspiring to enjoy the experience of work and improve one’s living conditions through labour. 

Women still earn less than men in real terms, even though the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1970, a year after this advert went out.

Rochford Hospital chimney hieroglyph.

Wool shop hieroglyph.

Rochford Methodist Church hieroglyph.

Concrete planter hieroglyph.

Women’s Institute Hall hieroglyph.

Hanging basket hieroglyph.

Winch hieroglyph.

Rochford Hospital hieroglyph.