Gateshead
Cone – Andy Goldsworthy (1992)
Cone may surprise those who associate Andy Goldsworthy with more ephemeral, hand-made constructions of leaves, earth, grasses or flowers. Expressing a strong affinity with nature, these works use materials found on site, and are left to slowly disintegrate. Goldsworthy has an internal reputation for works in landscape involving natural materials – from maple in Japan…
Beacons – David Pearl (2004)
Acceleration is situated opposite the Old Town Hall and provides a link between Gateshead Town Centre and Gateshead Quays. The design concept uses the strong slope of the site and refers to the historic architecture of the Old Town Hall. Acceleration provides a physical separation between the car park and the Town Hall Square, which…
Acceleration – John Creed (2005)
Acceleration is situated opposite the Old Town Hall and provides a link between Gateshead Town Centre and Gateshead Quays. The design concept uses the strong slope of the site and refers to the historic architecture of the Old Town Hall. Acceleration provides a physical separation between the car park and the Town Hall Square, which…
Star Ceiling – Jo Fairfax (2004)
This lightwork is installed in the lift area of the car park behind The Sage Gateshead. Star Ceiling can be glimpsed through a 60 cm glass lens in the floor. The artwork represents the night’s sky and consists of a collection of fibre optic cables housed within clear tubing. 116 tails of changing coloured light…
Phoenix Cobbles – Maggie Howarth (1994)
Phoenix Cobbles is a pebble mosaic in Gateshead Riverside Park by Maggie Howarth (1994). The mosaic shows a phoenix rising from the flames, symbolising Gateshead’s regeneration following a period of industrial decline. It follows the ancient art of ‘cocklakia’ (cobblestone mosaics) developed by the Romans. More information Gateshead Council Tags: floor mosaics, maggie howarth
James Hill Monument – Peter Coates (2006)
This artwork is a celebration of the life of James Hill, a 19th Century fiddle player who lived in Gateshead for most of his life. The sculpture is built and carved from Blaxter stone – the same stone used to build the Tyne Bridge wall abutment. Bronze elements are also incorporated into the design. It…
Goats – Sally Matthews (1992)
Goats are a series of sculptures in Gateshead Riverside Park by Sally Matthews (1992). The 7 lifelike goats were based on real animals at Bill Quay Community Farm, where visitors could watch the artist using recycled materials to construct the sculptures. The goats appear to be climbing and grazing, located below the Queen Elizabeth II…
Ribbon of Colour – Kate Maestri (2004)
Ribbon of Colour is a spectacular 200 metre curved glass balustrade, designed by architectural glass artist Kate Maestri to complement the dramatic architecture of The Sage Gateshead by Foster and Partners architects. The artwork is a vibrant focal point and extends into the public squares at either end of the building. The continuous handrail provides…
Riverside Rivets
Sited underneath the King Edward V11 Railway Bridge these sculptures refer to the thousands of rivets holding this historic bridge together. The materials the rivets are made from, cast iron deliberately refers to Gateshead and the North East Region’s proud engineering and industrial heritage and the place names that are included on each rivet give…
Once Upon a Time – Richard Deacon (1990)
Richard Deacon’s Once Upon a Time… relates to the architecture of the Tyne’s bridges. It is built onto the surviving abutment wall of the demolished Redheugh Bridge. More information Gateshead Council Tags: Richard Deacon
Rise and Fall – Lulu Quinn (2007)
Entitled Rise and Fall, the artwork takes the form of a 6m high glass and stainless steel arch. It is designed to create a new focus, meeting point and dynamic viewing platform onto the Riverside. A sophisticated programme of over 10,000 small LED lights randomly rise and fall within the arch. It can also remain…
Thornbird Railings – Marcela Livingston (2005)
The Thornbird Railings consist of 25 panels featuring a repetitive pattern, representative of falling leaves or a winged bird. Acting as a guide for pedestrians they mark a new path that has been built along the riverside to give a better view of the Tyne and the other artworks in the area. The artist carved…
Rolling Moon – Colin Rose (1990)
Originally made for Gateshead’s site at the Glasgow Garden Festival (1988), Rolling Moon was subsequently relocated on the banks of the Tyne in 1990. The Glasgow Festival was based on a nautical theme so the sculpture’s design transferred effortlessly to its new situation. Colin Rose’s sculpture distills the idea of the moon’s dominant effect on…
Swirl – Colin Rose (2009)
Swirl represents a vortex, a central point for both traffic and people visiting the development. Its winding form also reminds you of the tidal currents and breezy weather that characterise riverfront locations. More information Gateshead Council Tags: colin rose
Halo – Stephen Newby (2008)
‘Halo’ is a stunning gravity-defying spectacle stretching 27 -foot in the form of a loop, which by night is illuminated by colour changing fibre-optic lights. The sculpture is a fitting link to the Town’s steel heritage and symbol of its post-industrial renewal, as Gateshead celebrates what is believed to be the UK’s biggest mixed-use town…
Sports Day – Mike Winstone (1996)
Although alluding to Gateshead’s renown in sports and the International Stadium, the sculpture avoids clichéd representations of athletic prowess, tensed muscles and ‘action’ poses. More humorous than heroic, Mike Winstone’s figure competes in the sack race – an event not known for poise and glamour. The artist aimed to convey a view of sport which…
