A new public art sculpture has been unveiled in Sheffield, inspired by milestones – both physical and those experienced in our lives.
Sculptor, Coralie Turpin, was chosen by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) to create the cast iron art piece for its new Beckett Hill (Malthouses) development – in the Parson Cross area of the city. The sculpture is visible from the public highway and resembles the many traditional way-markers that can be found in the area.
Coralie reached out to local residents to hear stories from people with strong connections to the area and worked with local school children to influence the design of the sculpture.
“The idea behind the work is around milestones.” Says Coralie, who works from a studio in Yorkshire Artspace’s Persistence Works: “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.
“We mark milestones in our lives too. Some people move away from where they previously called home but – even though they may be many miles away – still have an affinity with that 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 isn’t always 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.
“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 highlighted key themes of home, family, journeys and the future, and have been incorporated into the finished piece. From a distance, the sculpture looks a bit like a shooting star but close-up, you will see that all this detail is included.”
This public art 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 and it has been fantastic working with Coralie on this latest, engaging new artwork.
“This sculpture has its foundations firmly planted in Parson Cross – both literally and metaphorically – inspired by the stories and experiences of people who live, or have lived, in the area.
“As our own partnership continues to hit milestones in the delivery of high-quality new Sheffield homes, we are proud to be creating attractive spaces that provide interest for the local community and in which they have an involvement and personal connection.”
Cllr Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We have been looking forward to seeing this finished piece of art ever since the project was first kicked off – and it is great to be here today for its unveiling.
“Public art is a really good way of creating welcoming and inviting spaces within communities, to help people feel proud of where they live. We are always keen to see them created across the city and thank Coralie for her hard work with this wonderful sculpture we are seeing here today.”
Coralie Turpin has been a public artist for 30 years, creating large-scale public art for hospitals, student accommodation, schools, local authorities, retail businesses and for parks and public community spaces.
*Picture caption: (L-R) Artist, Coralie Turpin; Project Manager at Keepmoat Yorkshire West, Andy Poole; Chair of the Housing Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, Cllr Douglas Johnson; Head of Capital Delivery Service at Sheffield City Council and SHC board member, Adam Midgley and Development Director with SHC, Steve Birch.
For more information, please email: Emily.Cutler@persuasion-pr.com
