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 .
Bronze head: cast using the ancient lost-wax method—a nod to early metalworking traditions in Northern England.
Corten‑steel head: with its characteristic rust-patina, evoking the later, heavy-industrial era.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Placement | Located in the Student Forum space on King’s Road, commissioned by Newcastle University after being relocated from One North East headquarters near Newburn Riverside following its closure in 2011 . |
| Symbolism | The trio represents progress across generations and industrial regimes—ancient skills in bronze, industrial-era strength in corten, and networked modernity in stainless steel. The title Generation also alludes to producing, creating, and generational cohorts—fitting in an academic setting (). |
| Artist Background | Joseph Hillier, born 1974, is a renowned British sculptor. A former Newcastle University Fine Art graduate, he later gained national recognition and created notable public works like Messenger in Plymouth. The Generation series marked his return to Newcastle as a commissioned artist (). |
🎓 Why It Matters
Educational resonance: The sculptural heads serve as a visual metaphor for generations of scholars and evolving knowledge—making them especially fitting for a university courtyard.
Local heritage: Having been preserved and relocated after One North East’s closure, Generation remains part of the North East’s cultural fabric .
Public visibility: As an open-air installation, it invites daily interaction from students and visitors, contributing to Newcastle’s rich public art collection highlighted in the university’s “Art on Campus” program .
