The biggest outdoor public art event Luton has ever seen has begun as 90 animal sculptures have hopped into place for the summer, with some of the local creatives responsible revealing their inspiration behind works that give a nod to the town’s past, present and future.
Based on the famous Aesop’s Fable, the Short Tail Trail, conceived by Keech Hospice, has seen 60 small and 30 large, brightly-coloured tortoises and hares spring up throughout the town centre, Wardown Park and Stockwood Park, where they will remain until September.
Every sculpture tells its own story with artworks depicting much-loved aspects of Luton’s heritage in music, carnival and industry, through to local landmarks, faiths, flamingoes and much more.
While international artists have contributed to the trail, there are sculptures that have been created by Lutonians, with all sharing positive messages of love, hope, inclusion and peace, as a sign of the town’s strong community spirit.
One installation, called Hare We Go, painted by stand-up comedian, author and illustrator, Olaf Falafel, is placed on Bute Street and based on Luton Town Football Club kits from over the years.
Falafel said: ”I thought I’d design a hare featuring patterns from Luton Town Football Club kits past and present. My design is a vibrant patchwork that represents the excitement, colour and unpredictability that our club has brought to the town certainly in the 40 years I’ve been supporting. Both myself and my daughter are season ticket holders – she’s been coming to Luton games since she was 4″!
Luton-born artist and designer Amanda Quellin, who has worked internationally in film, television and theatre, has designed the Hip Hop sculpture, which is synonymous with graffiti style art and can be found in Wardown Park.
She said: ”I wanted to create a design that was appealing to teenagers – representing Hip Hop culture. A number of talented rap artists have come out of Luton and through music young people are encouraged to avoid gang culture and find a form of artistic expression.”
Beverley Sweetman, a full-time artist from the town, has created two sculptures for the trail. Her first sculpture, Colour My World, is inside The Point (formerly The Mall) shopping centre. It is a colourful celebration of all the things that make Luton great.
“Charms will depict the industries past and present that have established Luton as thriving commercial town. The carnival arts are celebrated in a golden feathered headdress and the vibrant colours are an acknowledgement of the town’s diverse blend of people and cultures.”
Explaining her second design, called Beeutiful at Stockwood Park, she said: “I am local beekeeper at Stockwood Park, and this is my inspiration for this Hare sculpture design. This creation also incorporates the symbols taken from the Luton Coat of Arms… Wheatsheaf, Bees, Thistle and Rose.”
Art teacher Natalie Jenkins has created the I Dream of Luton sculpture, which can be found by the Town Hall War Memorial, and she said: “I am proud to be a Lutonian and the opportunity to be involved in the Short Tail Trail is an incredible achievement.”
Natalie’s design portrays elements for which Luton is famous. Its landmarks, its varied faiths and even the flamingos! The background colour palette works from earth brown to sky blue, blending through the geographic features of the Lea, the urban landscape and through Warden Hills.
Jenkins added: “My design is a dreamy journey through the Luton landscape. From the tranquility of a summer day at Warden Hills, you float past the Victorian architecture of Wardown Park and towards the centre of town and its art deco town hall.
“You then journey through Bury Park and the iconic Oak Road stand at ‘The Kenny‘ before passing the stunning green dome of the Central Mosque.
“Your travels come to an close via the historic 12th century St Mary’s Church and the control tower of Luton Airport, that looks down over the town from its vantage point. Some famous feathered friends are also there to accompany you on your journey!
“I wanted to create a design that was unique to Luton and highlighted the fabulous scenery and architecture that can be found in and around the town.”
There is an overall theme to the Short Tail Trail too, as the well-known Tortoise and the Hare tale from Aesop’s Fables, which date back to Ancient Greece, depicts the importance of working together. The tortoise symbolises longevity and the ability to thrive, which depicts Luton’s heritage, resilience and approach to the work of the Keech Hospice charity.
The hares symbolise nature, love and family but are also associated with new beginnings. These represent the community as they are the ones that will ignite ‘change’.
As a charity, 70 per cent of Keech Hospice Care’s funding comes from its local community and supporters, without who we can’t keep making the difference when it matters the most. These beautiful hares and tortoises are a visual reminder of the importance of our community coming together to make the difference.
A free app ‘Short Tail Trail 2024’ which offers clues to the locations of the sculptures and bonus info about each one, is available to download through Google Play and Apps Store. It also offers local shopping rewards and the chance to attend special events.
The animal trail is free to take part in and can be enjoyed by the whole community, who have until Thursday 12 September to spot as many of the sculptures as they can. After that, the small sculptures will go back to the schools and community groups who designed and painted them. The large sculptures will be sold in a charity auction on 3 October to raise vital funds for Keech Hospice Care.
And a special Short Tail Trail book is also available, written by Lyndsey Sweet and illustrated by Ed Smith. You can buy a copy at Keech Hospice Care’s Park Street shop, Stockwood Discovery Centre, Wardown House Museum, Brown’s Books in High Town, or the Luton Town FC shop on Park Street.
This summer, every Friday at 3pm from 26 July to 23 August, you can also catch ‘Storytelling on the Steps’, free live readings of the book at Hat Gardens on Bute Street.
For more information on Short Tail Trail visit https://shorttailtrail.co.uk/
