Finding it was a chance discovery. My legendary powers of navigation had taken us slightly off course (nothing new there), when the sharp eyes of Mr TLC spotted something lurking in the middle of a car park. Obviously we had to investigate. We weren't disappointed. I love this kind of stuff.
Heavy Plant is a sculpture by David Kemp. It's made from lots of reclaimed industrial bits and pieces, most of which were "collected from the scrapyards and wastelands of that which was once Attercliffe". It dates from 1988 (according to the plaque at the site) or 1989 (according to Sheffield Hallam University's public art archive) and was commissioned for the Science Park. The sculpture consists of a brick built 'furnace' at the base, out of which a bronze mosaic egg protrudes, then a wonderfully extravagant steel and glass thistle-like plant shoots up from the egg.
A furnace, steel, glass, salvaged materials, photo opportunities galore - what's not to like? I think my favourite little detail is the little dragon-like creature, made from a red hook. So simple, but so nice.
It's not surprising that this has escaped my notice for so long, it's tucked inside a small car park on Howard Lane, not exactly on the beaten track. We were there on Saturday afternoon when the place was deserted, so we admitted ourselves to the car park for a closer look. However I suspect that it might not be so easy to get a close-up view during normal working hours when the car park is in use.
