Aire Sculpture Trail - Saltaire to Shipley

Aire Sculpture Trail - opened 25 May 2013

 



Aire Sculpture Trail

The Aire sculpture trail was officially opened on the 25^th May 2013 by Andrew Mason, Managing Director of Newmason Properties Ltd., and is said to be an integral part of improving the use of the footpath alongside the river Aire between Baildon Bridge and Saltaire.

This development has been created for the benefit of residents and visitors to Saltaire and Shipley.  It adds a visitor attraction to the area and encourages the use of this footpath link.

The project is a collaboration between CBMDC Dept of Regeneration & Culture, Newmason Properties Ltd, Canals & River Trust, Hive Community Arts Organisation and Wycliffe Primary School.

Hive is a community arts organisation based in Shipley that has been delivering high quality creative activity across Bradford for the last 30 years. It commissioned metal sculptor Mick Kirkby Geddes to work with students from Wycliffe Primary School.

Under Micks supervision the children prepared drawings and then made their own sculptures inspired by their thoughts and feelings for this area. Holmfirth based artist Mick has been a professional sculptor since leaving Leeds Polytechnic with a degree in Fine Art in 1988.  He makes sculptures for indoor and outdoor spaces and exhibits his work in galleries, and works regularly with local schools.

There is an Octopus, Pirate Ship, Salt pot slug, Fish & drawers, Fish, Cat bath,
Bird, Skater frog, Snowman, Dog, Alpaca, Submarine, Frog on leaf, and Dinghy dog.

I am puzzled by these sculptures supposedly being about the Shipley/Saltaire area, as the only one amongst them is the Alpaca.  I guess anything is possible when it comes to children's imagination, although I think they could have had a little more "direction" in what the area is really about.

Wonder what other residents think about it?