Featured Events in Plymouth in March, 2015 (January Updated)

Created by artist and sculptor Carole Vincent the artwork features a large sundial design and fountain. The artwork was commissioned by Plymouth City Council as part of the pedestrianisation of the City Centre in 1987. The work was officially launched on 22 July 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II and commemorates the ‘Armada 400’ celebrations in the city. (Image courtesy of Plymouth Herald image archive) Cast in concrete with Terrazzo and stainless steel, the sundial also features 12 plinths around the outside. Information panels on top of the stone plinths offer in detail ways to ‘read’ the sundial in a range of different languages. The information plinths were made a particular feature of in 2010 when they were covered with decorative textiles as part of ‘Mrs Smith’s hit on Plymouth sundial’ – a secret commission by Plymouth College of Art. Guerrilla textiles installed overnight to the surprise of the public! The sundial is set to G.M.T which differs in the summer (B.S.T) by one hour in advance. The sun is also due south in Plymouth 17 minutes later than it is at Greenwich; therefore at some points of the year the dial runs 1 hour 17 minutes behind G.M.T. About the Artist Carole Vincent (1939-2019) was an artist working in concrete. She lived and worked in Boscastle, Cornwall. Painter as well as sculptor, she explored the use of natural colour and texture in concrete for sculpture. Her work with pigments achieved remarkable success, opening new doors to architects, engineers and planners. Her passion was to work on commissions for specific environments, ranging from public spaces to individual buildings and gardens.

Artist Ian McChesney created two opposing sculptural forms hand carved from solid granite, designed to resemble nautical bollards. Project Description Ian McChesney’s sculptures are a tribute to Plymouth’s maritime heritage and the many historic voyages that are part of Plymouth’s history as well as our own personal journeys. Each part is a two-tonne piece of granite from De Lank quarry (in nearby Bodmin), carved smoothly with a tactile appeal. McChesney was awarded the commission following an open brief competition led by Peninsula Arts, the arts and culture public programming organisation for University of Plymouth. The university started as a School of Navigation in 1862 and 2012 marked their 150th anniversary. The work was unveiled as part of the programme of year long celebrations in which more than 50,000 people took part.

A walkway, which has extended the coastal path through Plymouth, comprises a distinctively marked trail across 9.3 miles designed to enhance the rich social, industrial and naval history of Plymouth. This is an entertaining and engaging walk where art is used to highlight the city's history and heritage. The Plymouth Waterfront Walkway was developed by the City Council in 2002 as a unique part of the South West Coast Path National Trail. It links the Cremyll Ferry landing stage on the shores of the Tamar with Jennycliff on the eastern side of Plymouth Sound. Along the way you’ll come across larger than life characters such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Robinson Crusoe and Lawrence of Arabia. Then there’s the wall of stars, a golden scallop, a ten ton rhino and so much more. The features were created by the artists of Why Not Associates, and bring to life many of the stories that make Plymouth special.

A mirrored panel behind the figure reflects a warped vision of the work to represent the impact and distortion that war has on all ordinary life but particularly civilians and children. Commissioned by the University of Plymouth, the sculpture is located behind the University’s Portland Square Building as a memorial to those who lost their life at the site during the Second World War. The night of 22–23 April 1941 saw Plymouth’s heaviest loss of civilian life in a single incident in which 76 people are known to have died. The 'Hope' memorial sculpture is a lasting testament to those who tragically lost their lives that night in the underground bomb shelter, sited on what is now the University campus. The sculpture design itself was inspired by the harrowing account Favata was told by Portland Square Historian Tony Rees. He recounted the tale of a young couple who, on the night of the terrible bombing, sent their child to Plympton to be cared for. Sadly they died in the blast. As well as a symbol of hope; the sculpture stands as a tribute to the enduring spirit of the community. Favata said:“I wanted to make a statement about the tenacity of the people of Plymouth... When I learned about the disaster I started to think about all the wars Plymouth has gone through–the Armada, the civil war, the Napoleonic war, the First and Second World Wars–and I was struck by how much upheaval the people of Plymouth have survived.”

The mural is made up of varying sizes and textures of ceramic tiles in a mosaic design which highlights Plymouth’s agricultural and naval heritage. The differing glazes and patterns woven into the design represent the rich detail and description on the original maps. The work was initially unveiled by HRH Princess Anne in an underpass on the Drakes Circus site; but relocated in 2007 when the area was redeveloped into a new shopping centre.

The sculpture is made of corten steel (a weathering steel) which gives it the appearance of rusting over time.‘Spare, simple, strong and timeless… its scale always totally in charge of its setting’ are words that have been used to describe the sculpture. Ann Christopher once said:‘I am drawn to the contemplative and calm image and that is what I strive for – journeys of discovery – journeys into the mind.’