'The Pace of Recovery' - Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK. - Silhouette Public Art Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This stainless steel sculpture called 'The Pace of Recovery' by Francis Gomila portrays a flying swan and was commissioned by St Modwens Properties PLC.

It is located on mini-roundabout at the junction of Festival Way and Marina Drive in the Etruria area of Stoke-on-Trent.
The area formerly housed a steelworks and has now been redeveloped as a retail and leisure park.

Description:
"The swan is mounted on a tall plinth that slopes at an angle of about 40 degrees. It is depicted with outstretched neck and wings, as if rising from the water into the air.

The swan appears on the logo of St Modwens Properties Ltd, the property development corporation responsible for purchasing the formerly derelict site on which the 1986 Garden Festival was mounted and which has since developed the area for retail, entertainment and light industry. The sculpture symbolises 'the successful regeneration that has been achieved at Festival Park"
Source: (visit link)

A stone plaque mounted on a brick plinth at the side of the roundabout is inscribed as follows:-

'"THE PACE OF RECOVERY"
UNVEILED BY
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE LORD WALKER OF WORCESTER MBE PC
29TH MARCH 1994
St. MOWDEN DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED'

"Francis Gomila (Sculptor, b. 1954)
Gomila was the founder and director of Fine Rats International, an artist-led cooperative that enlivened gritty urban locations with sculptures and installations between 1989 and 1993.
Although Gibraltar-born, the artist moved to the UK mainland in 1973 and has since produced his most memorable work there; acclaimed pieces include “The Pace of Recovery” – a stainless steel flying swan mounted on a plinth in Stoke-on-Trent – and “Waiting for Halley’s Comet to Pass”, a flowing circle of metal figures near Birmingham that Gomila has said represents the uncertainty of our times. The artist currently lives in Newcastle." SOURCE: (visit link)

Title of Piece: 'The Pace of Recovery' Artist: Francis Gomila Material/Media: Stainless Steel Location (specific park, transit center, library, etc.): Festival Park roundabout Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/06/2017 Mike_bjm visited it