AN ARTS project which has been launched in the town centre is inviting people to contemplate some of life's biggest questions.

'Before I Die' is a participatory public art project aiming to get residents to ponder about death, reflect on life, and share their personal aspirations in public.

The project was originated by artist Candy Chang on an abandoned house in New Orleans who, after she lost someone she loved, channelled her grief into it by covering a crumbling house with chalkboard paint and stencilled with the prompt: “Before I die I want to ...”

Today there are over 2,000 walls around the world with one put up in Church Square for people to get involved with.

The wall is in place from today (February 27) until Monday, March 27.

The project has reached 70 countries, including Iraq, China, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and South Africa.

Revealing a community’s longings, anxieties, joys, and struggles, it explores how public space can cultivate self- examination and empathy among neighbours and compassionately prepare us for death and grief.

The project is being presented by the Heart of Glass in partnership with SICK Festival and St Helens Council.

Gary Maddock, town centre manager, said: "It is fantastic that we attract such an engaging piece of art to St Helens town centre as part of the international award winning SICK Festival.

The partnership between ourselves at the council, Heart of Glass and other cultural partners is really exciting for the town.

"Arts and culture has a big role to play in the development of our town & borough and we look forward to future collaborations that raise our profile of our town and create further opportunities for our communities to engage in the arts."

The event is part of the Heart of Glass' newly published programme for February to September 2017 which marks the end of the first phase of investment under Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme.

Greg Pennington, of the Heart of Glass, said: “Public Art always raises debate and questions, this is part of the potency of work in the public realm, it generates a range of opinions and perspectives."

"The work that launched in St Helens is an iconic work that has been exhibited in locations around the world, including Iraq, Brazil, China, USA etc, over 2000 walls in 70 countries, and we're delighted to support SICK! Festival to present it here.”

“The works asks members of the public to share their personal aspirations publicly and offensive language will be monitored daily and removed, and while there will no doubt be instances where this has to occur, we know that the majority of interactions with the work will be conducted in the spirit of the invitation.

He added: “We have to be able to have conversations as a public, and while sometimes this may showcase different opinions and perspectives, ultimately we hope to have productive exchanges - this is the power and potential of the arts.”

Visit candychang.com and sickfestival.com