Jo Chapman

Other Poems 2025

Public Art Commission, Harlow, Essex

Commissioner: Weston Homes

Public Art Consultant: Kath & Company

I pass like night from land to land

I have great powers of speech

The moment that his his face I see

I know the man that must hear me

To him my tale I teach

For many years the site was the former home of Longman Publishing in Harlow. The artwork takes a verse from the 'The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge which was first published in The Lyrical Ballards 1798 by Thomas Longman, of Longman Publishing.

Using this verse to map out a drawing that is also a visual thesaurus exploring the inter-connectedness and multiple meanings of words. The drawing also links to Harlow through people and places that are associated with the design and planning of the New Town. The artwork has a strong visual impact and references the heritage of Longman publishing and their legacy of educational book publishing, learning through making connections.

The commission is to design a permanent artwork as part of the new residential development in Harlow, Essex, the panels will line the new entrance avenue at the heart of the development. The artwork uses perforated and printed panels in Corten coloured coated Aluminium.