An iconic artwork which was made in New York City and installed in North Shields has had it 20th anniversary and inspired a new book about public art in North Tyneside.
Tyne Anew is a 21-metre tall sculpture which has towered over Royal Quays Marina since 1999.
Designed by the celebrated American artist, Mark di Suvero, the abstract orange tripod, which pivots in the wind, was the largest piece of public art in Britain at that time and is also a metre taller than the Angel of the North.
The artwork, which was created at the artist's studio in New York before being dismantled and transported to the North East, is stylistically similar to many of his other pieces incuding the famous Joie de Vivre sculpture in Lower Manhattan.
North Tyneside Council and Northern Voices Community Projects have now published a new book to celebrate the sculpture’s 20th anniversary and raise awareness of other public artworks in the borough.
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE, will officially launch the book at Killingworth Library, on Friday 13 September, as part of Heritage Open Days 2019.
She said: “We are very proud to publish Tyne Anew to celebrate the inspiring public art we have in North Tyneside. It features stunning images, facts and artist perspectives, and provides a vibrant portrayal of the role that public art has in enhancing our public spaces.
“The book continues the council’s partnership with Northern Voices Community Projects and we thank Peter and Keith for their excellent work.
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of the installation of Tyne Anew, an iconic piece which was commissioned as part of the regeneration of the riverside.
“The title fittingly captures the ambition of North Tyneside Council to continue the regeneration and renewal of our borough and I hope that people will enjoy this book and are inspired to visit some of our excellent public art.”
Compiled and edited by artist Peter Dixon and writer and poet Dr Keith Armstrong, the book describes 21 artworks in detail and includes specially commissioned poems and song lyrics inspired by each piece.
Featured artworks include The Market Woman at Wallsend Forum and the Jigsaw at White Swan Centre, as well as recent additions Sentius Tectonicus at Segedunum and Fiddler’s Green Fishermen’s Memorial at North Shields.
Peter Dixon, of Northern Voices Community Projects, said: “The sheer amount of sculpture that we have in North Tyneside is quite surprising. In the book, we have art going back to the 1950s right through to the present day.
“Every piece has its own interpretation and I think the beauty of it is getting writers inspired by the images. It’s a nice collaborative process where you have the sculptors, the engineers, metal fabricators and eventually the writers getting involved.
“It’s a very different sort of book and I think it will appeal to local people.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the launch, featuring a talk and recitals of songs and poems at Killingworth Library, on Friday 13 September, 10.30am-12pm.
It’s one of 39 events taking place in North Tyneside between September 13 and 22 for national Heritage Open Days 2019.
About the artwork:
- Tyne Anew stands at the tip of Northumbria Quay with a prominent position overlooking the River Tyne
- The sculpture is a tripod standing at a height of 21 metres and is by the American sculptor Mark di Suvero.
- His works are recognisable in style – many are steel structures painted orange-red and he has installations all over the world
- The artwork cost £614,000 to commission, build and transport in 1999
- Funding was from a £3.5m Lottery grant to the former Tyne and Wear Development Company
- It was installed as part of Art on the Riverside, a project which saw artworks flourishing along the banks of the Tyne
- Speaking at the time the piece was installed; the artists said he was trying to evoke the region's industrial heritage: "I wanted to add to this feeling of the past impacting on the present. The roots of shipbuilding and coalmining are important to the area and should never be lost sight of."
