Our work with Wessex Archaeology
At the time of the launch Loveday Herridge speaking for SVAG said:
"The core aims of Sheffield Visual Arts Group are to champion and celebrate Sheffield’s amazing art, and Wessex Archaeology’s engaging interactive Public Artworks map is an important tool to record,
learn about and sustain our public artworks."
Together with Wessex Archaeology we are working on creating an interactive map of the Artworks in Sheffield. This can be found at Sheffield Public Art Map
There are various artworks represented by pins on the map. Clicking on the pin brings up an image plus some more information about the artwork.
Natasha Bramall, Community Engagement Coordinator said:
" Public artwork is too often something that’s in the background and isn’t fully appreciated, but this programme aim is to place it centre stage. "
Sheffield Visual Arts Group, Project Partner, added:
‘"A plan and a hope to create a lasting picture of public art in Sheffield has become a reality under the expert leadership of Natasha Bramall at Wessex Archaeology. We look forward to working
together with Natasha to make the list of Sheffield artworks a meaningful reality." in brings up an image plus some more information about the artwork.
Our experiences at the Heritage events where we've had pictures displayed show that some people were unable to put a name to examples of public art, or were unsure of the locations. Where the item was recognised, the story behind it was often not known.
Many people knew about the Covid Memorial (pictured above)
Take the example of public art pictured here. Many people have seen it in Burngreave, but few know the (obvious) name of it or the significance of it. It is made from stainless steel and could represent a rope, perhaps. In fact, it's a length of string, tied into a knot. "Knotted String" is the title of Harry Brearley's autobiography. The inventor of stainless steel, Harry Brearley, was born close by in February 1871.
Much of Wessex's work in Sheffield this year has been in connection with the dig at Sheffield Castle. As the work progressed to explore the site, there were regular updates on local media. There were many exciting discoveries of the remains of buildings, as well as discoveries from the Civil War. Among the latter were cannon balls as well as musket balls.
Many are aware that the most famous visitor to Sheffield Castle was Mary Queen of Scots and I hear that a French TV crew visited the archaeological site in 2024 to film in connection with Mary's time in Sheffield.
We await with interest whether this will be made available to Sheffielders.
There have been opportunities for Sheffielders to visit the dig and the image right was taken on one visit in November.
The Sheffield Castle Project has been noticed and Wessex are up for an award.
If you’d like to vote for the Sheffield Castle project, scroll down to “Rescue Project of the Year” Current Archaeology Awards - Current Archaeology.
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