<< Public Art
Articulated Opposites - Raymond Arnatt
Blue Carpet - Thomas Heatherwick
Blue Carpet Staircase - Thomas Heatherwick
Book Stack - Fred Watson
Heralds - Ray Smith
Newcastle through the Ages - Henry & Joyce Collins
Pillar Man - Nicolaus Widerberg
Location - Swan House Roundabout
Materials - Bronze
Commissioned by - NCC
Articulated Opposites is an abstract work designed as a memorial to Sir Joseph Swan, who was from Newcastle. Swan invented the incandescent light. T. Dan Smith suggested the memorial to JosephSwan. The work was unveiled on the 16th of September 1969 by Joseph Swan’s son, Sir Kenneth Swan. The work draws its inspiration from the forms of the first filament bulbs.
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Location - In front of the Laing Art Gallery
Materials - Tiles Blue Glass in Resin
Commissioned by - NCC
The Blue Carpet is a visually thrilling but completely functional urban space. The purpose-made tiles are laid across the square and ‘riding up’ against the gallery. The carpet draws the buildings together and creates an intimate open space for both performance and play. At the edges bollards puncture the surface, limiting vehicular access and creating a safe recreational space for pedestrians.
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Location - Blue Carpet, Near Laing Art Gallery
Materials - Blue Glass Tiles in Resin
Commissioned by - Newcastle City Council
At the eastern end of the Carpet, the Staircase links the city centre with Manors. The simple broad-curving spiral gives the illusion of being light and self-supporting. The top surface is cedar, each piece individually cut and shaped by hand to the required profile. Thomas Heatherwick is the lead artist of Thomas Heatherwick Studios (THS).
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Location - Northumberland Road
Materials - Grey Granite on a Black Granite Base
Commissioned by - Northumbria University
A smoothly polished granite sculpture which depicts a stack of fifteen books piled one on top of the other. Another work Inside Outside by Fred Watson can be seen at the Tranwell unit of the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Gateshead. Watson was born in Gateshead and taught at Newcastle Polytechnic. His commissions are sited around the country including Milton Keynes and Harlow.
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Location - Either end of Northumberland Street
Materials - Painted Mild Steel
Commissioned by - Newcastle City Council (NCC)
Identical figures placed at either end of the street. The works were commissioned as part of the pedestrianisation of the street. Painted black the figures are holding poles with colourful perforated steel banners. The bold abstract figures are designed to greet and welcome people into the street. As well as Heralds the artist designed railings, seating and bins for Northumberland Street.
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Location - Northumberland Road, wall of BHS
Materials - Polychrome Cement Fondu and Stone
Commissioned by - Unknown
Made up of two relief panels, the work shows
many events in the history of Newcastle. Highly stylised, the relief is moulded to a depth of 5cm. It is 2.3m high and 6.4m wide. Records of the commissioning of the work are hazy, however the building was built by C&A who still own it. Their work can also be seen on the Post Office Tower in London.
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Location - Northumbria University Gallery (outside)
Materials - Bronze & black granite
Commissioned by - Northumbria University
Created by Nicolaus Widerberg, 'Pillar Man' is a 6.5 metre high sculpture cast in bronze which is set against the white wall of the Northumbria University Gallery. The figure 'emerges'from a black granite 'river' which is immediately above the course of the Pandon Burn some 20m below.
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