The new sculpture on the corner of Stephenson Street and Tynemouth Road in North Shields had people talking right from the moment its white circular base appeared. Some thought it was a UFO, others suggested a portal to another world!
The mystery grew deeper as an intriguing statue of two figures in a unique pose was put in place. Today team members from Helix Arts shed light on the matter by explaining the creative process behind the installation, which took around two years and involved over 1000 of the town’s residents.
The sculptor, Aaron Li-Hill, is an international artist who has had his work displayed all over the world, often producing enormous murals and incorporating various media. Community and place is a recurring theme in his art, which makes Aaron a natural choice to create this piece specially commissioned to celebrate the 800th anniversary of North Shields.
Public involvement has been at the heart of the project. Prior to the conception and creation of the sculpture, several workshops were held all over the community at venues including the Beacon Centre, Royal Quays, Cedarwood Trust, Meadowell Connected (now The Meadows) and North Tyneside Art Studio. Artist Laura Brenchley also conducted sessions in many local schools. People were asked to express what they love about North Shields, places that are important to them and what they would like to see in the future.
The result is a charming collection of drawings, paintings, and written statements all reflecting different aspects of the town and the life of its residents. People have paid homage to everything from their favourite chip shop and football team to memories of Wilko and World War Two, and how “You had to have your hair and your step done by 8am.” Many of the tiny artworks express joy in movement such as sport, fishing and dancing.
This led to the idea of creating a dynamic sculpture channeling the spirit of dance. “The two dancers are in a counterbalance pose, where the smallest points of connection are really important. Whilst posing for the sculpture, the models warned that if one person moved slightly, even their finger, it could throw the whole thing off”, explained Megan, Senior Creative Producer at Helix Arts. Their stance represents solidarity and how the smallest touch points between members of a community can be so important.
While we were chatting, Aaron and his helper Edwin were frantically pasting all of the mini artworks to the concrete base and parts of the statue itself, creating a colourful collage that people will be able to either enjoy at a glance or study more closely for hours.
The location of the sculpture is also significant. Positioned at a gateway to the town, the dancers welcome people into North Shields by showcasing the love and cohesion among its community. It has already been distracting passers-by who have often returned for a second look if they didn’t have enough time. Ultimately the intention is for people to make up their own minds about what the sculpture means for them, and there will be an NS800 interpretation panel. There is also a film being made to document the creation of the artwork. We can’t wait to see it!
