A major new public artwork by artist Tony Stallard has been launched at Titanic Quarter, as part of Belfast Festival at Queen’s. The high profile contemporary and innovative artwork which is called ‘Kit’ is situated in the public realm area facing the Abercorn Basin and beside the Abercorn Residential Complex (ARC), the first phase of residential development at Titanic Quarter.
‘Kit’ is a dramatic site-specific light sculpture which is 13.5 metres tall and cast in bronze. It is ambiently lit with blue and white phosphorous lighting that suggests the adjacent marine environment and the searchlights of ships. The artwork depicts recognisable Titanic elements on an outer frame and the overall sculpture suggests toy kits and air fix models. It enables all generations to relate to the creation of RMS Titanic in this area of Belfast. For Stallard, the sculpture is intended to “symbolise Belfast as an industrial pioneer at the time of building the Titanic. It references the industrial heritage of the area and can be seen as a reverie of the past, to create nostalgia of what was once heroic. It is designed to act as a contemporary tribute to the shipbuilders. The sculpture is ‘see through’ and transient, almost mythological.”
Through open submission competition, ArtSpark NI on behalf of Titanic Quarter Ltd and Arts & Business NI commissioned the signature public artwork as part of its Integrated Arts Strategy for ARC. The major public sculpture, by Essex-based artist Tony Stallard, is the artist’s largest public artwork to date.
This artwork is an exciting development for Belfast. It is a good news story at a time of economic complexity. Mike Smith, CEO of Titanic Quarter has applauded the artwork; At Titanic Quarter we are building the future from the past and Kit, with its references to the Titanic’s creation and the industrial heritage of the area, is a perfect illustration of that.”
“The Tony Stallard sculpture is magnificent. It will add richness to the well designed public space at Abercorn Basin and significant interest to the well established heritage trail along Queen’s Road.
It is the largest funding project for Arts & Business to date and demonstrates their commitment as partner in the development. According to Mary Trainor, Director, Arts and Business NI; “The Kit sculpture at Titanic Quarter is an excellent example of a forward thinking business recognising the importance of investing in the arts and acknowledging the positive impact that this has on the environment and the community.”
It is providing opportunities for Belfast at a difficult time. Harland and Wolff were entrusted with fabricating the sculpture itself and their expertise was crucial in this project almost a century after Titanic was built in the docklands. For Stallard, the involvement of Harland and Wolff “takes us full circle…and authenticates the long lasting relationship that has almost become immortalised by their cranes which are inevitably loaded with a imaginary Titanic skyline.” The artist is humbled by the opportunity to create such an important public artwork; “I feel that this is a chance for the sculpture and Titanic Quarter as a whole, to bring this mythology back home and mark a celebration of the Titanic that is long overdue.”
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