Discover more about the UK’s first permanent offshore sculpture
Couple - is a new commissioned work by sculptor Sean Henry, in conjunction with Inspire (South East Northumberland Public Art & Design Initiative) and Wansbeck District Council . The 5 metres tall bronze figures promise to catapult Newbiggin Bay, Northumberland, into the global arts and tourism spotlight and be a key part of the region’s £10m sea-defence breakwater programme that is fully backed by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). People won’t have long to wait until the unveiling of Newbiggin’s newest residents, as a summer (July) date has been set for the launch of Couple.
Couple has been the culmination of 3 years work and it aims to symbolise the positive transformation the village will experience from the 200-metre long breakwater structure, which will be 350-metres out into Newbiggin Bay and will become the foundation for Couple and its steel pier [15-metres long and 7.5-metres in height].
A recent article by Hannah Forbes Black on Arts Hub UK entitled “Can public art change a community?” put Couple in the same creative equation as Antony Gormley’s “Angel of the North” - a statement that will hopefully enable Couple to go forward and achieve its amazing potential.
The breakwater scheme is believed to be the first of its kind to be initiated along the North East coastline - the project will not only strengthen coastal defences in the village, but will re-create an amenity [its BEACH] that in its heyday attracted thousands of visitors and day-trippers to what was then a popular Northumberland seaside attraction.
Westminster Dredging will create the breakwater structure and install Couple, before transporting thousands of tonnes of sand from off the Lincolnshire coastline and pumping it ashore to create the new beach.
Supporters of Couple include: Inspire (South East Northumberland Public Art & Design Initiative); Wansbeck District Council; Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); Northumberland Strategic Partnership; Arts Council England; Northern Rock Foundation and Creative Partnerships Northumberland.
Peter Osborne, Director of Osborne Samuel Gallery, said: “Sean Henry’s new, monumental sculpture will undoubtedly make a positive and dramatic impact, not only on Newbiggin’s skyline but also on local people and visitors.
“This spectacular setting will provide a unique context for Henry’s work, creating a wonderful platform for what, in spite of its size, is an intimate sculpture which speaks to all of us. ‘Couple’ will be accepted and appreciated as a key element in the visual statement made by the new breakwater.”
Wendy Scott, Public Art & Design Officer for Inspire, said: "Couple signifies the serious cultural and economic investment being made into Newbiggin-by-the-Sea."
Northumberland aims to be firmly installed on the cultural roadmap and recognised as a creatively ambitious part of the world. Wendy Scott continued: "These are exciting times for the people of Northumberland, as we intend to develop a strong cultural, economical and environmental nucleus from which we can build an essential framework for the future of our region.”
Mr Bob Stephenson, Wansbeck Council’s Chief Executive, said the Newbiggin Bay project will continue the regeneration of the village which over the past three years has attracted investment of more than £30m in new private and rented housing, environmental improvements and better services for local people.
“It will not only improve vital coast protection defences but also seafront amenities particularly through the ‘importation’ of 500,000 tonnes of sand dredged from off the Lincolnshire coastline near Skegness,” he said.
“The commissioning of the Couple artwork, will also add another unique dimension to the scheme, and I have no doubt that will become a tourist attraction in itself.”
To RSVP for the event please email Brian Porter at bporter@osbornesamuel.com or call 020 7493 7939 and for all media enquiries please contact Garry Smith of Strictly Press on 0191 2892809 or 078 99910823, alternatively by email news@strictlypress.co.uk
Osborne Samuel
23a Bruton Street
London
W1J 6QG
12noon - 2pm & 6pm - 8pm |
