PUBLIC ART IN SHEFFIELD
Jason
Thomson
'Parkway Man', 2001
Sheffield Parkway
cast iron
Bowden Howsteads Wood. On the eastern side of Sheffield Parkway, visible in trees by the roadside between the Handsworth Road and Mossborough Parkway exits. Pedestrian access to the piece from Richmond Park Crescent, via a footpath into the woods. (A-Z p.101 3G)
Description:
A large cast iron man, stripped to the waist, and wielding a sledgehammer. The figure weighs over 3 tonnes and stands at over 3m high.
Commission:
Sheffield City Council Heritage Woodland Team. Part of the Fuelling a Revolution project managed by the Heritage Woodland Team, Parks Woodland and Countryside, Sheffield City Council. The team is responsible for 23 Sheffield ancient woodlands and is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The ancient woodland art project
is also supported by Sheffield Galleries and Museum Trust, Yorkshire Arts,
Childrens Fund, Gleadless Valley Community Forum, Design & Property Services,
South Yorkshire Forest, Learning mentors, staff and children of Athelstan,
Bankwood, Herdings and Hemsworth Schools, Forest Schools, Firshill Community
Primary School, The Woodlanders and Working Woodlands Trust.
The sculpture was carved and cast at H.Downs & Sons Ltd, of Huddersfield
and information on the construction of this piece can be seen at their website:
http://www.hdowns.co.uk/
Comment:
The figure is difficult to locate
in the trees from a moving car.
