THE Harlow Art Trust has launched its ninth Sculpture Town Artist in Residence (STAIR) exhibition, Slow Twitch, at the Gibberd Gallery. The Private View opened on Saturday 2 August and features the work of this year’s artist-in-residence, Weng-io Wong.

Harlow MP Chris Vince was among the first to experience the kinetic artwork during the Private View and to see Weng-io’s sculpture. He was joined by Harlow Art Trust trustees and members of the local creative and cycling communities.

Weng-io Wong is a multidisciplinary artist working across sculpture, installation, and video. Her practice explores the shifting nature of memory, identity, and emotional response in the digital age. Drawing on her hometown of Macao for architectural and mythological inspiration, Wong’s work is rooted in a deep engagement with personal history and contemporary culture.

Wong holds a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Fine Art from RMIT, Australia (2015), and recently completed her MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art (2024).

Slow Twitch presents two sculptural works, Untitled and Slow Twitch, that reflect on the themes of urban development, resilience, and memory in the context of a constantly evolving townscape. The exhibition poses a compelling question to visitors:

“What does it mean to remember in a place that’s constantly changing?”

The Sculpture Town Artist in Residence (STAIR) programme is a key initiative led by Harlow Art Trust in partnership with the Royal College of Art.

The residency honours the legacy of the Trust’s pioneering work during the 1950s and 60s, when newly graduated artists were given the opportunity to create permanent public works for the newly built Harlow New Town, a bold move that led to enduring landmarks like Ralph Brown’s Grade II listed Meat Porters.

To continue this tradition, the 12-month residency is awarded annually to a graduating RCA Sculpture student, providing them with support, mentoring, and the chance to lead educational workshops across schools, colleges, and community settings. 

The afternoon was opened by a visit by Chris Vince MP. Harlow Art Trustee Lucy Bird gave the welcome speech. Although Wong was unable to attend the Private View in person due to an urgent return to Macao, she joined digitally and delivered a heartfelt message of thanks to the team, supporters, and community.