This stunning mosaic adorns the wall of a community hub near the now-demolished St. Agnes Church in Easterside, near Middlesbrough. The work of Helen Gaunt and Derek Mosey (who we’ll be writing more about soon), it was created with children from the area at both the local library and the Beechwood Youth and Community Centre.
The seven panels of the mosaic (images courtesy of Helen Gaunt)
Whirling Rainbow is a polyptych (multi-panelled) work, with motifs of nature and industry swirling around abstract whorls. Smokestacks, wheels and the idiosyncratic steel spire of the church are contrasted with trees and curves evoking waves and seashells. It is – like any mosaic – painstaking labour of love containing the work of many hands.
Designs for the mosaic (images courtesy of Helen Gaunt)
Created to go on the outside wall of the library (which now doubles up as a community hub), the work was completed over 15 workshops with young people from the area. Helen Gaunt told us more about its creation:
“As part of the project, the young people visited Robin Hood’s Bay, this is featured in the mosaic design, bottom left corner. The whirling rainbow design came from an idea to bring hope, colour and inspiration into the area, like a spell or mandala.”
Robin Hood’s Bay depicted in the mosaic and the design phase
Artists Helen Gaunt & Derek Mosey with their daughter (1) and with local young people (2)
St. Agnes Church – with its distinctive spire – is also depicted in the mosaic. Sadly though, the church has now been demolished, and who knows how long its steel spire will stand. At least a little memory of it remains in the broken tiles.
St. Agnes Church – now demolished. Images courtesy of The Smell of Water
Thanks to Helen Gaunt for her photos and comments, and also to Gavin Parry at the sublime The Smell of Water website for bringing this one to our attention. His article on the church can be found here.
North East Statues 