The centre provides students with a purpose-built space for the pursuit of extra-curricular engineering projects and is home to LU Motorsport. Ian’s sculpture, with its stainless steel elements flung across and around the upper corner of the building, invokes the dynamism and power of the activities that take place within this building.
Torque was the winning design in the Eccleston Sculpture Competition run by LU Arts in 2021, which was open to current students and recent graduates.
The artwork has been funded using a generous donation from alumnus Barry Eccleston and his wife Valerie.
Torque has been made from corten steel and stainless steel, increasing the longevity of the piece and providing qualities that alter with the weather.
Barry said: “Valerie and I are delighted with Ian Tricker's sculpture, Torque. As we had hoped, it captures the spirit of the work going on inside the building...dynamic, innovative and energetic. So, it is dedicated to all the students who work long hours inside the ESEC, following their dreams. We send our sincere gratitude to Ian, and all the team involved, for turning a vision into a reality."
This isn’t Ian’s first piece to be installed on Loughborough’s East Midlands campus. In 2014, Ian won a student competition to design artwork for the then-new Shirley Pearce Square. He created Aftermath, a stainless-steel sculpture.
Ian commented: “I would like to thank Barry and Valerie Eccleston for their generosity in putting together this competition for a public artwork with the help of LU Arts.
“It is situated on the Eccleston building, an open project space for any student studying aeronautical and automotive engineering.
“I feel privileged to come back to Loughborough University and have my sculpture realised. I had such a great time as a student with access to high-end facilities, skilled technicians, and dedicated lectures. I would highly recommend Loughborough to any prospective student.”