Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Gateshead has an international reputation for its Public Art Programme. Since its start in the 1980s this commitment to improving the public realm has resulted in over 80 works of art sited around Gateshead. The sculptures are a proud feature of the borough and have attracted British artists of international acclaim such as Andy Goldsworthy, Richard Deacon, Colin Rose and Antony Gormley.
As part of Gateshead's Sculpture Festival 2006-7, we invited 14 artists to create artworks for a temporary sculpture trail in Saltwell Park. The sculptures create new interest in the park and raise the profile of the role of outdoor sculpture.
The theme for the Trail was 'World Culture' and the artists interpreted this in a variety of ways. Sculptures ranged from traditional stone carving to temporary works incorporating plastic and sound.
Following the success of the Install Sculpture Trail, most of the sculptures remained in situ until the end of July 2007. The sculptures were commissioned by Gateshead Council for the Install Sculpture Trail as part of the Gateshead Sculpture Festival 2006-7.