Public Art Research Archive, Sheffield Hallam University
PUBLIC ART IN SHEFFIELD

Johnny White
Spider's Web, 1994-5
Wall of System Gripple Factory, Saville Street
stainless steel, wire and gripples

Location:
Exterior wall of System Gripple Factory, at the corner of Firth Drive and Saville Street. (A-Z p87 5H)

Description:
A large metal spider, several smaller flat spiders and a spider’s web of wire held together by "gripples".

Commission:
The project was overseen by Public Arts Agency on behalf of System Gripple, who commissioned the piece.

Comment:
This piece was constructed using the firm’s product, the "gripple", a metal clamp that joins steel wires together. The smaller spiders were made by workers at System Gripple using a maquette designed by Johnny White.
It was opened by Prince Charles during a visit to the city in January 1995.
The information plaques at the site have now been vandalised. Two of the wires spun by the smaller spiders have broken at the point at which they meet the spider - these no longer hang tautly. (November 2000)



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Last updated September 5, 2006