Looping canal boat celebrates industrial heritage

A loop-the-loop canal boat sculpture has been unveiled to celebrate Sheffield's historic waterways and industrial heritage.

The major new public artwork has been designed and created by Alex Chinneck, who is known for his large-scale pieces that warp well-known structures.

The static boat, The Industry, appears to float on the water between locks four and five of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal and is named after the first vessel to navigate the waterway when it opened in 1819.

Mr Chinneck said the 42ft-long (13m) project, concluded eight years of creating sculptures for Tinsley and a “massive chapter” in his career.

The work, which is made from nine tonnes of helically-rolled steel and aluminium, has been painted in traditional canal boat colours and features the Tudor Rose - the assay mark of Sheffield

"I've tried to create an uplifting and endearing landmark that belongs to this historic location while honouring the city's industrial history by pushing steel to its material limit,” Chinneck said.

According to the Canal and River Trust (CRT), the 19ft-high (6m) sculpture is the tallest structure to have been transported along the waterway in the last 70 years.

Sean McGinley, CRT regional director for Yorkshire and the North East said he hoped the artwork would attract new visitors to Sheffield's canal.

"It's wonderful to see the canal being used as an outdoor gallery space to showcase contemporary art while being used to transport the artwork to site, a nod to its heritage,” he said.

Chinneck has previously created a sculpture of a car hanging upside down and a knotted post box, which was temporarily installed outside Tinsley Meadows Primary Academy.

Every class from this school will be brought to see the artwork and meet the artist, the Canal and River Trust said.

According to Sheffield Council, the aim of the project was to strengthen the identity of Tinsley following the demolition of the Tinsley cooling towers, which previously dominated the landscape.

Sheffield councillor Martin Smith, chairman of the economic development and skills committee, said the artwork was a “fitting celebration of Sheffield's international reputation for industry, innovation and creativity”.

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