Howden Minster
Howden Sculpture Sequence
Towards the end of October 2002, the regeneration of the area surrounding Howden Minster began to shape. John Maine R.A., a sculptor with an international reputation, was commissioned by Howden Town Forum and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, to revive the northern side of the Minster known as Churchside.
John spent a great deal of time in Howden looking and thinking, and eventually creating the seven sculptures now along Churchside and the one in front of the west door of Howden Minster.
The whole scheme is based on the four Elements: Earth - the Churchyard; Water as you walk into the west door; Air as you walk through to the town centre; and Fire, as a pillar at the East end of the Minster.
The sequence starts at the west end of the Minster, where a star-like stone area is incised with a spiral configuration. This evokes the motion of water and is set at ground level, forming part of the entrance paving. The granite for the Water sculpture comes from the Himalayas.
The Air sculptures along the Churchside is made up of carved granite drums which progressively increase and decrease in height, giving the impression of movement. The sculptures stand on York stone plinths but are themselves made from granite from different parts of the world. The long stretch of pavement is constructed from setts made of granite from China and Ireland. The emphasis of the stone work was to enhance natural daylight and bring colour to what was formerly a neglected space.
Starting at the west end with the smallest sculpture the granite comes from Scotland. The two drums which follow are made using granite from India (red) and Russia (black) and the next pair in the sequence have been constructed using Scandinavian granite (grey).
The final two Air sculptures are much broader in character and are made from Brazilian granite (white). They are located to the north of the ruined chancel, in an area protected by English Heritage.
The sculpture sequence culminates with the Fire carving, in the shape of a flame, which stand at the north east corner of the churchyard and can be seen from the market square. It was installed in 2008 beyond the ruined frame of the great East window. This was the last sculpture to be installed.
The money for the scheme has come from the National Arts Lottery Fund, Enventure Northern, Howden Town Council, Howden Rotary Club, Howden Civic Society and others. Yorkshire Arts, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Halls Engineering Firm and Howden Town Forum’s savings and determination have all helped to make this scheme possible.
Engineering and installation work was carried out by Hall Construction Ltd, and LK Warcup Construction Group Ltd.
Something that is unique and of great value has now become part of our heritage!
The Sequence was officially opened in 2009 by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw CBE, President of the Royal Academy.
For more about the Sculptor John Maine RA and his work see:-
Howden Minster
Howden Sculpture Sequence
Towards the end of October 2002, the regeneration of the area surrounding Howden Minster began to shape. John Maine R.A., a sculptor with an international reputation, was commissioned by Howden Town Forum and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, to revive the northern side of the Minster known as Churchside.
John spent a great deal of time in Howden looking and thinking, and eventually creating the seven sculptures now along Churchside and the one in front of the west door of Howden Minster.
The whole scheme is based on the four Elements: Earth - the Churchyard; Water as you walk into the west door; Air as you walk through to the town centre; and Fire, as a pillar at the East end of the Minster.
The sequence starts at the west end of the Minster, where a star-like stone area is incised with a spiral configuration. This evokes the motion of water and is set at ground level, forming part of the entrance paving. The granite for the Water sculpture comes from the Himalayas.
The Air sculptures along the Churchside is made up of carved granite drums which progressively increase and decrease in height, giving the impression of movement. The sculptures stand on York stone plinths but are themselves made from granite from different parts of the world. The long stretch of pavement is constructed from setts made of granite from China and Ireland. The emphasis of the stone work was to enhance natural daylight and bring colour to what was formerly a neglected space.
Starting at the west end with the smallest sculpture the granite comes from Scotland. The two drums which follow are made using granite from India (red) and Russia (black) and the next pair in the sequence have been constructed using Scandinavian granite (grey).
The final two Air sculptures are much broader in character and are made from Brazilian granite (white). They are located to the north of the ruined chancel, in an area protected by English Heritage.
The sculpture sequence culminates with the Fire carving, in the shape of a flame, which stand at the north east corner of the churchyard and can be seen from the market square. It was installed in 2008 beyond the ruined frame of the great East window. This was the last sculpture to be installed.
The money for the scheme has come from the National Arts Lottery Fund, Enventure Northern, Howden Town Council, Howden Rotary Club, Howden Civic Society and others. Yorkshire Arts, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Halls Engineering Firm and Howden Town Forum’s savings and determination have all helped to make this scheme possible.
Engineering and installation work was carried out by Hall Construction Ltd, and LK Warcup Construction Group Ltd.
Something that is unique and of great value has now become part of our heritage!
The Sequence was officially opened in 2009 by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw CBE, President of the Royal Academy.
For more about the Sculptor John Maine RA and his work see:-