The unveiling of Maria Gondek’s The Brolly at Platform in Easterhouse was a collaborative effort, initiated in 2021/22 through a partnership between Platform, Blairtummock Housing Association, and SPG. The aim was to develop a new sculpture for exhibition alongside a permanent installation within a community setting.

Maria Gondek’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in her surroundings, weaving together historical narratives and social implications. Her installations, characterized by a touch of humor, invite viewers to actively engage with the artwork, fostering a sense of mutual understanding and connection.

The Brolly embodies this ethos, seamlessly blending whimsy and thoughtful design. With its ingenious structure, designed to collect rainwater and simulate the flow of a fountain, it creates an immersive sensory experience for viewers. As rainwater cascades down its tiers, refracting light and creating rainbows, it serves as both a playful installation and a functional piece of public art.

Its exhibition at Platform offered a glimpse into the playful and thought-provoking nature of The Brolly before it finds its permanent home at Pavillion, a local youth club in Easterhouse. Here, The Brolly will serve not only as a rain fountain but also as a gathering spot for the community, surrounded by lush rain garden flowerbeds nourished by the collected water.

The engagement programme organised by Platform around the exhibition was extensive offering people of all ages a chance to engage with the sculpture.