The designs for a new public art piece for Sheffield have been revealed, and the work is now in production.
Sculptor, Coralie Turpin, was chosen by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) to create the artwork for its new Beckett Hill (Malthouses) development – in the Parson Cross area of the city.
As well as engaging with schools, Coralie reached out to local residents to hear stories from people with strong connections to the area to influence the design.
Coralie, who works from a studio in Yorkshire Artspace’s Persistence Works, says: “The idea behind the work is around milestones. You can see these old markers beside the roads leading into Sheffield – and certainly in the Parson Cross area – showing the distances from the city centre.
“Milestones also play a part in our lives. Some people move away from where they used to call home but – even though they may be many miles away – still have an affinity with a place and the past. Likewise, some people move to a new area and establish a new home which marks an important milestone in their life. Where you have deep roots might not always be where you end up but it is a big part of the journey!
“This sparked the idea for the title of the work ‘Milestone – Compass’ and how from one place, everyone has the potential to grow, shine and branch out – like the points on a compass that help navigate the way.
“It is essential to encourage this potential in people and to help them find their own way. Through working with the schools, I was keen to emphasise the idea that anything is possible. The children worked with arrow shapes on to which they carved their ideas. These will be incorporated into the finished piece. From a distance, the sculpture will look a bit like a star but close up, it will have all this detail included.”
Coralie’s sculpture will be made of cast iron which is a very sturdy material that lasts thousands of years. It will be installed adjacent to a residential boundary at Beckett Hill (Malthouses) later in the year and will be visible from the public highway.
The project has been funded by SHC – a joint venture development company between Sheffield City Council, Keepmoat, and Great Places Housing Group.
Since its inception in 2011, that partnership has delivered over 1,700 new homes across 17 sites, revitalising five key neighbourhoods – most recently both Parson Cross and Manor in the north and south of the city, respectively.
SHC has also provided over £110 million in wider social value, created or sustained 1,730 jobs – with 65% of the workforce based in South Yorkshire – and championed vocational growth through 130 project-initiated apprenticeships, whilst safeguarding a further 400 existing apprentices.
This the fifth public art project that SHC has delivered to the city – following the success of the ‘art to the park sculptures’ at Norfolk Heritage Park and schemes at Brearley Forge, Princes Gardens and Gaskell Gardens, Lytton.
Steve Birch, Development Director with SHC, says: “SHC is committed to delivering meaningful public art as part of its housing projects, as a way to create attractive spaces, provide interest for the local community, and express local identity and character.
“It has been a pleasure working with Coralie on this exciting new project. From initially discussing the concept with her, to now seeing work on the sculpture’s mould taking place, I’m certain this will create an inspiring installation that local people can connect with and enjoy.”
Coralie Turpin has been a public artist for 30 years, producing significant and meaningful artwork for the public realm which exhibits a high degree of craftsmanship. She has undertaken large scale public art for hospitals, student accommodation, schools, local authorities, retail businesses and for parks and public community spaces.
Recent works by the artist include: ‘Roman mosaic’, in collaboration with Turner Prize winning artist, Jeremy Deller, which can be seen at Scarborough’s new sea watching station on Marine Drive. ‘Vertical superposition,’ a six-metre-tall sculpture on the front of the Cosmos building, on Thomas Street, in Sheffield and ‘In natures fabric’, a sculpture inspired by the now demolished Tinsley cooling towers, installed Meadow Sweet Close, in Darnall, which also draws on the rich cultural diversity in the area.
*Picture caption: Coralie Turpin working on the moulding that will be used to create the final cast iron artwork
For more information, please email: David@persuasion-pr.com
