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LOCAL SCULPTURE

The north east of England is rapidly becoming a great place to see modern sculpture. Middlesbrough has the 'Bottle of Notes' by Claus Oldenberg and Darlington has its 'Train'.

There is plenty of sculpture in and around Saltburn. In autumn 1997 Saltburn Artists Gallery housed part of a work called 'The Waving Tree' by Gloucestershire born, but Baltimore based Stephen Lee. The sculpture is a massive straw construction which reminded me of a haystack but woven and hollow like a basket rather than solid, and with various extensions - presumably to represent branches.

The other part of of the installation is on an island in the stream running through Rifts Wood, saltburn (beyond the Valley Gardens). It is similar to the Gallery piece but made of coppiced willow.

Stephen was assisted in building the sculptures by 2 technicians: Jemima Fisher and John McLean, who also ran free workshops in making corn dollies. I was lucky enough to be given an impromptu lesson in this ancient art one Saturday lunchtime.

Unfortunately the Gallery exhibition is now over but the Rift Wood installation remains and is well worth a look. Watch out for other interesting exhibitions at the Saltburn Artists Gallery, Milton Street.

More sculptures can be found if you take a walk along the Cleveland Way between Saltburn and Skinningrove. If you are starting from Saltburn the path begins behind the Ship Inn

Firstly you will see a large carved marker stone bearing the inscription 'North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast' on all sides. It was carved by Vivian Mounsell and funded by the former Cleveland County Council. It is made of sandstone and is studded with ammonites (fossils) these being the symbol of the Heritage Coast.

Further along you will come upon three sculpture made by Richard Farrington as part of the Skelton and Brotton New Milestones project, the aim of which was to link sculpture and the environment - hence they reflect the local steel industry. The 'Skelton & Brotton New Milestones' leaflet describes them in the following way:

"Circle
A 7 ft. diameter circle to represent a new type of pit prop, relating to iron stone mining. On this are hung ten sculpted three dimensional images, all relating to the Parish and the making of the work:- a horse (for the Cleveland Bay horse); a starfish (for the shore); a pigeon; a cat (in the 1300's cats were hunted here - hence Hunt Cliff; an owl; a nautilus/belemnite (for fossils); a piece of protoplasm (basic to life); Thor's hammer (relating to working metal/blacksmiths); a ring; mermaid's purse (common to the seashore)

"Marker Post
A marker post - made from two pieces of special profile steel, and on which are attached four metal elements. There is a star (iron was first found on meteoric deposits); the top of a plant growth; the shape air makes when striking a surface; a swimming jellyfish and its reflection in the water. They represent sky, earth, air and sea.

"Trawl Door
Trawl door - the main body of the work represents the doors which hold open trawl nets; on one side a large fish and on the other small shapes based on plankton and underground objects. From the marker post there is a strong echo of the strata of the cliff."

Other sculptures can be seen in the Woodland Centre (at the end of the Italian Gardens) - beautiful wrought iron gates decorated with leaves, cobwebs and animal shapes. Also you may happen upon carved or wrought iron seats which have been thoughtfully placed for the weary traveller in Rifts Wood, beyond the Woodland Centre.

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