University Quarter Art

Armstrong Monument – William Hamo Thornycroft (1906)

Particularly interesting for the two plaques underneath. When the swing bridge was opened in 1876 it was the largest of its kind in the world. The first ship to go through took delivery of the largest gun in the world, which was unloaded by the largest hydraulic crane in the world. Cranes and Guns designed…

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Book Stack – Fred Watson (1992)

1992 the year Newcastle Polytechnic became Northumbria University, these 15 granite books were unveiled that year by the Duchess of Northumberland. Fred Watson born locally, taught fine art at the University. Tags: fred watson

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Bronze Horse Heads (1968)

The seahorses are borrowed from Newcastle’s Coat of Arms, a reminder of the city’s seaport history. Tags: No tags for this post.

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Burma War Memorial – Nick Whitmore (1991)

Part of sculpture: WHEN YOU GO HOME/ TELL THEM OF US AND SAY/ FOR YOUR TOMORROW/ WE GAVE OUR TODAY/ Carved into stone plinth: IN HONOURED MEMORY/ OF ALL THOSE/ FROM THE NORTH EAST/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE BURMA CAMPAIGNS/ 1941 1945/ Inscribed on metal plaque: THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY THE TYNESIDE…

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Engraved Glass – John Hutton (1968)

The engraved screen by John Hutton has two themes: figures from mythology and Tyneside’s great inventions of the nineteenth century. The smaller section shows Roman deities and other legends associated with the city. There is Coventina, goddess of the well, with three intertwined figures of nymphs of the streams; the Celtic warrior goddess Brigantia; Mythras…

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Escapology – Cath Campbell (2006)

Made from 456 metres of red western timber, now looking more black than red. This structure adorns, if adorn is the right word, the roof of the Northern Stage Theatre. More information Workplace Foundation and Aedas Tags: No tags for this post.

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Five Figures – Nico Widerberg (2006)

Five Figures – Nicolaus Widerberg (2006) Smaller than Widerberg’s 6.5 metre Pillar Man, these armless statues stand in the middle of the Northumbria Campus on route to city Campus East and the beautiful bridge across the central motorway. Tags: nico widerberg

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Generation – Joseph Hillier (2014)

Generation “Generation” (2003–05) by Joseph Hillier is a striking set of three large-scale head sculptures installed in the Student Forum courtyard at Newcastle University. Designed to reflect evolving eras of human and industrial development, the three works are distinctly rendered in different materials: Stainless‑steel mesh head: constructed from welded rods, reflecting modernity and the digital age …

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Mosaic Panels – Dorothy Annan (1959)

3 marble mosaics commissioned for £1,507. The figures represent space travel, mining and architecture. The mosaics are quite high up, binoculars recommended. Only three public murals by Annan survive: the mural previously at the Fleet Building, the three-panel work at King’s College in Newcastle, and a panel at Caley Primary School in Limehouse, Tower Hamlets….

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Pillar Man – Nico Widerberg (2004)

Pillar Man – Nico Widerberg (2004) This 6.5 metre bronze statue stands at the end of a symbolic river of black granite which marks the course of the Pandon Burn 20 metres below. The Pandon Burn was originally as deep and beautiful as Jesmond Dene. More information on the Pandon Burn from CoCurate Tags: hidden…

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Queen Victoria – George James Frampton (1906)

Queen Victoria – George James Frampton Unveiled by King Edward VII at the opening of the RVI. The statue portrays the young Queen standing in robes with orb, sceptre and crown. The statue and pedestal are 22 feet in height and is unusual unusual in showing the queen in a standing position and in a…

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River God Tyne – David Wynn (1968)

The Romans believed that all rivers had a God that blessed the community that lived by the river. There were eight of the original Tyne Gods constructed, these can be found at various sites around Newcastle, there are a number high up on the outside of the Central Station. The Civic Centre River God is…

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Royal Doulton Tiles at the RVI (1904)

Jack and Jill at the RVI 61 nursery rhyme and fairy tale panels, ordered in 1904 are still to be found spread around Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary This is probably the most complete set of such panels still in existence; they were made at the Lambeth works and signed by the artists William Rowe, John McLennan…

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Royal Tank Regiment – J Reid (1920)

St George Royal Tank Regiment War Memorial. Bronze sculpture of St George and the dragon on a Portland stone pedestal with granite steps & stone seating Tags: faces, sculpture, war

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South African War Memorial Thomas Eyre Macklin (1908)

Tall octagonal tapered column with inscription commemorating those in the Northumbrian Regiments that died in the South African War, 1899-1902. When the Metro was built the Statue, which adorns the top of the Monument, was ‘lightened’, it’s wings replaced to prevent any problems with the Metro down below. Interesting inscriptions on front and rear of…

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Spiral Nebula – Geoffrey Clarke (1962)

Tucked out of the way, this public art is rarely seen by non university members. Clarke was also responsible for the ceremonial entrance hall for Newcastle Civic Centre. Tags: No tags for this post.

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Statue of a Miner – John Dyson (1895)

Statue of miner was modelled on a figure from the famous Ralph Hedley painting ‘Going Home’. Burt Hall was built by the miners in recognition of Thomas Burt, first miner to become an M.P. . Burt also appointed Secretary of Board of Trade. Tags: No tags for this post.

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Swans in Flight – David Wynn (1968)

Swans in Flight A motif that originates in a Danish poem celebrating the free community of the five Nordic countries. The lead swan is Iceland the first country with a parliament and hence democracy. Tags: civic centre, david wynn, sculpture

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The Response 1914 – John William Goscomb (1923)

The Response 1914 – John William Goscomb (1923) As Renown blows her horn, the drummer boys at the fore are poised and alert, while the officers ranged behind them look staunchly forward, rifles at the ready. Pressing on after them, among those already in uniform, are some still in cloth caps and work-clothes, several are…

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Three Figures – Nicolaus Widerberg (2007)

Three Figures – Nicolaus Widerberg (2007) Tags: nico widerberg

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