Shape & Shift Sculpture to shape space and culture in Salisbury

9 April 2026, Shape & Shift, a new participatory sculpture by local artist and architect Tim Scrace, launches at Salisbury Guildhall on Saturday 2nd May, inviting the community to shape both the work and the culture around it.

Developed with See Space Differently CIC and Salisbury City Council, Shape & Shift reimagines materials from Scrace’s 2021 work This Too Will Pass into connected sculptural pods representing Art, Architecture, and Community. Each pod provides space for exhibitions, creative activity, and public interaction, forming a mobile installation that evolves with every engagement.

The release of Shape & Shift coincides with the fifth anniversary of the lifting of post-lockdown restrictions, marking a period of transition, growth, and new possibilities. The project reflects on how far Salisbury has recovered and highlights opportunities to act on what is within our control, take responsibility for shared ambitions, and move forward as a community.

Tim Scrace, artist, comments:
“Shape & Shift is about unlocking creativity and understanding of space for everyone. It’s a way to take what already exists and rework it into something that invites participation. It’s not just something to look at — it’s something to shape.”
“At its heart, this project is about transformation — we are taking what was and reshaping it. It’s a continuation of a journey that ignited five years ago and is now growing into a wider movement through See Space Differently.”

The installation will be first presented at Salisbury Guildhall on Saturday 2nd May from 10.00 – 16.00.

Asa Thorpe, Chief Executive of Salisbury City Council, comments:
“As we approach Salisbury 800, we are excited to work with Tim to realise his vision. Shape & Shift showcases how art can engage, and how, working together, we can create something that resonates with both residents and visitors, revitalising our city by seeing space differently.”

Following its launch, Shape & Shift will tour Salisbury, the wider region, and beyond. The installation will be used across exhibitions, workshops, and community-led activity. At its core, it asks a simple but urgent question: what happens when people are given the tools to shape the spaces they inhabit? Its message is clear — watch for change, get involved, and help shape both the sculpture and the culture around you.

NOTES

This Too Will Pass (2021)
This Too Will Pass, by Tim Scrace, was a landmark public artwork on Salisbury High Street in 2021. Commissioned by Salisbury BID to mark the 800th anniversary of Salisbury Cathedral, the sculpture took on added significance during the COVID-19 pandemic as a reflection on change, resilience, and community. Over two months, more than 90,000 people experienced the installation, with over 5,000 leaving personal chalk messages. These were captured daily before being cleared, creating a living record of public thought. The work offered the city a collective moment to pause, reflect, and engage with past, present, and future during a pivotal period of lockdown recovery.

See Space Differently CIC
See Space Differently CIC is a creative placemaking consultancy, set to launch in July 2026. Working with award-winning cross-disciplinary creatives, businesses, and their teams, the CIC empowers communities and emerging talent through education, mentorship, and a knowledge bank of tools and resources. Through podcasts, workshops, and a network formerly known as IGNITE, it enables people to understand, actively engage with, and shape the spaces and environments around them.