Art UK launched its Public Sculpture Project (2018) to photograph all UK art outside with a digital catalogue online (https://artuk.org/about/sculpture-project). Covid thwarted this work, which ends soon. Photographer Elaine Vizor works this area, has photographed many artworks but says there are more. Highlights for Elaine have been collaboration with Teesdale sculptor Phil Townsend. Phil’s stone carved relief of Aycliffe Angels and Aclet in Bishop Auckland were the starting point for this. They covered Phil’s sculptures across County Durham, Teesdale in particular, and created Art UK’s first volunteer Sculpture Trail. Photographing David Mach’s Train in Darlington was another highlight and also being the photographer to contribute images for Joseph Hillier’s ‘In Our Image’. Manufactured by Aycliffe Fabrications, it is still County Durham’s tallest sculpture and a favourite with Elaine. Newton Aycliffe has many other sculptures, some hidden in plain sight.
Before Covid Elaine had contributed images of Brian Russell’s ‘Orchid and Butterfly’, sited in the wildflower meadow by the railway platform; Paul Lewthwaite’s ‘Building On Building Up’ outside Greenfield School and Peter Furlonger’s ‘Peace’ Memorial, sited at St. Clare’s Church.
A highlight, this side of lockdowns, was returning to Newton Aycliffe to capture more outdoor artworks, namely those on the Great Aycliffe Way. This provided opportunities to explore the route, alone or with friends. Elaine found members of the public very friendly, some asking about photography, others providing invaluable local information, sculpture locations, history or a perception about a piece. We all interact with artworks differently and sharing diverse views is enriching. Elaine has photographed Sleeping Deer, Newt, Ladybird, Bug and Mushrooms, more Mushrooms and the elusive Dragonfly. All can be seen on Route 1 of the Great Aycliffe Way. (A map can be obtained from the Council Offices). Sleeping Deer is easily missed in shade off the path. Similarly, Ladybird is colourful but nestled in a grassy corner. Children would enjoy keeping eyes peeled for these. Dragonfly is elusive as high up a tree. Elaine said she would not have found this without directions from two knowledgeable local ladies she met on the walk. It’s an ideal time to explore, seek out sculptures and maybe say, as a friend of Elaine, newly discovering artworks said, ‘If only there were more!’
Elaine will be exhibiting at Greenfield Arts Gallery from 16th September 2021 to 26th October 2021. Please visit to see photography created ‘With or Without’ a camera.
For more information contact: info@greenfield-arts.co.uk