Sunderland’s new interactive sculpture ‘Propellers of the City’ celebrates the area’s ship building and industrial heritage, and is winning plaudits for its unique design and ingenious functionality.
When a major city centre development had been completed, Sunderland City Council needed a distinctive piece of art to complete the project. The new ‘Keel Square’ site had been in development for some years, and with the project finally complete, the all-important finishing touches were ready to be made. The sculpture had to hold artistic merit and be interesting enough to be identifiable, but also celebrate the region’s proud history and heritage.
Celebrated sculptor and blacksmith Chris Brammall was tasked with designing the piece; his reputation for unusual, visually striking architectural work made him the ideal candidate for creating this type of sculpture. And he did not disappoint, producing a work that is not only a visual marvel, but also a fully interactive project that captures the imagination.
The glass sculpture includes photographs of 500 Sunderland residents who worked in the shipyards and in the many associated, dependent, industries. The sculpture can also be rotated via a bespoke hand wheel, allowing the photographs and propeller to be viewed from different angles.
One of the biggest challenges when constructing the sculpture was to print the photographs onto the glass, especially as these were decades-old photographs that varied in both quality and clarity. This was in addition to the already ambitious task of producing three individual pieces of industrial-strength glass that gave the desired propeller effect. They were required to fit together seamlessly and be sturdy enough to stand the test of time in a vibrant city centre.
Brammall enlisted the help of commercial glass specialist Romag, which oversaw this element of the project in terms of designing, manufacturing, and fitting the three unique pieces of glass. Romag has a history of offering its services for ambitious design projects, having designed glass that is used in tiger enclosures, church sculptures, and even the iconic roof of Kings Cross Station.
The development is one that Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson hopes can be enjoyed by all members of the family: “It’s great to see people already enjoying the square,” said Watson. “This event will welcome the families of those featured in the Propeller, those who helped design and build the square, and of course Sunderland residents who are keen to find out more about our heritage and enjoy a great day out.”
The project has been a massive success, with the Keel Square area of Sunderland already having been used for a winter-themed Frost Village and to host the exciting Chinese New Year celebrations. The development is one that the area hopes will spearhead the bid to be awarded City of Culture status in 2021.
