Station artist's pupil repairs ex-tutor's work

A stained glass artwork has been returned to a railway station after being repaired by the former pupil of the work's original artist.

The Beach and Shipyards installation has been part of the glass canopy at Monkseaton Metro station in North Tyneside since 1983.

It was removed last summer to be cleaned and repaired by experts at Sunderland's National Glass Centre.

Cate Watkinson, who was taught by artist Mike Davis, said she was "enormously proud" to have been part of the restoration team.

At the repaired artwork's unveiling earlier this month, Mr Davis said: "This was my first large sale commission in the region."

The canopy includes two pieces of stained-glass artwork.

The Beach was based on a design from a school competition won by Rosalind Hurst, whereas Shipyards is a more abstract depiction of the River Tyne's heritage.

"The imagery in my design related to industry, especially to engineering and shipbuilding," Mr Davis said.

"It was both celebratory and, inevitably, something of an elegy for the great changes taking place and the decline of the heavy industries."

Dr Watkinson, who worked alongside fellow restorer Rita Griskonyte, said: "A lot of work went into the restoration, from taking all the glass out, making sure that it didn’t get broken and pulling it apart, to ensuing it was all carefully cleaned and put back in the right place."

The repairs formed part of a £575,000 project to refurbish the station's canopy, said a spokesperson for Nexus which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro.

"The stained glass artwork at Monkseaton Metro station is one of the most striking pieces of public art on the network, so we are delighted to have it restored to its former glory," said the company's Sarah McManus.

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