THE first pieces of a 20m-tall sculpture that will dramatically transform the Merseyside landscape were craned into place yesterday.
For the next two months, commuters on the M62 will be able to witness the £1.9m art work gradually taking shape from 90 panels of pre-cast concrete.
Designed by internationally- renowned Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, Dream was created in response to the memories of a group of local ex-miners as part of Channel 4’s The Big Art Project.
Commissioned by St Helens Council, it depicts a girl’s head with her eyes closed in a dream-like state.
Council leader Brian Spencer, himself a former Sutton Manor Colliery worker, said: “It will be an incredible sight to witness the birth of this amazing new art work, which will put St Helens on the map and provide a landmark sense of welcome and arrival for the region as a whole for generations to come.
“This transformation is particularly poignant, given the history of the site itself.”
Situated on top of the former Sutton Manor Colliery, close to Junction 7 of the M62, Dream is intended as a gateway feature for both Merseyside and Greater Manchester as well as symbolising the regeneration of St Helens.
Plensa met with former miners and members of the wider local community to discuss their ideas for the art work, which is one of seven linked projects across the UK.
Gary Conley, who was 17 years old when he began working in the colliery from 1974-1991, was among the team which nominated the site.
Mr Conley, who now works for St Helens Council as a resource manager, said: “My ex-colleagues and I have been involved in the process every step of the way.
“It’s fascinating to see how a group of ex-miners now view the world differently, following this amazing art journey.
“We think it’s wonderful that, after nearly three years, our hopes and aspirations for the site have resulted in an iconic sculpture reflecting the past heritage of the site as well as its future.”
The finished piece will be launched in May, with its construction filmed by Channel 4 for a series starting the same month.
Cheetham Hill Construction has been working closely with engineers ARUP and project managing agency Liverpool Biennial in putting the work together.
The Big Art Project is supported by Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts, and The Art Fund, the UK’s leading independent art charity, with no funding from council taxpayers.
