26 Jan 2017
University Artist unveils steel sculpture at Corby Railway Station
World renowned Loughborough University artist John Atkin unveiled yesterday one of his latest sculptures at Corby Railway Station in Northamptonshire.
Working in consultation with local residents and communities through the Corby Cube and Corby International Swimming Pool, John Atkin created the Sundew Sculpture to explore pivotal social and economic changes in the UK. It is named after the Sundew Dragline Excavator, used for the recovery of iron ore, which was the biggest walking dragline in the world at the time of its construction. It was in service in Corby until 1974.
The sculpture is made from painted steel and designed to reflect the change of state from ‘liquid metal’ into solid form. Using local material from TATA Steel, as well as working with a local artist, the public artwork highlights and promotes the ‘Made in Corby’ brand. Talking about the sculpture he said: “The aim is to connect all generations of residents to their heritage via a landmark structure that marks Corby as a place, linked to its history, but successfully re-imagined after the collapse of its once significant steel industry.”
Councillor Julie Riley, Mayor of Corby, said: “It is an honour and a pleasure to be able to officially announce the completion of this brand new feature to the Corby Railway Station. The Sundew Sculpture, designed by the extremely talented John Atkin is the perfect way to welcome people to Corby as they step off the train, and being largely constructed with Corby steel, it is a real reflection on the town’s heritage which we are all very proud of.”
The work was commissioned by Corby Borough Council, working with partners TATA Steel, Interkey Fabrications Limited, ARTATK Limited and East Midlands Trains.