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• Special Award:

  Special Award for Community Engagement
  Read more about Special Awards

• Level of Award:

  Special Award

• Region:

  North West

• Local Authority Area:

  St Helens

• Owner:

  St Helens Council

• Architect:

  Artist - Jaume Plensa

• Structural Engineer:

  Arup

• Contractor:

  Cheetham Hill Construction Ltd.

• Additional credits:

  Curator Liverpool Biennial Specialist Pre-Cast Concrete Fabrication Evans Concrete Curator Liverpool Biennial Community Repr

• Primary Use Class:

  E Public Realm

Information about this winner

‘Dream’ is an internationally significant, landmark new sculpture on the prominent former Sutton Manor Colliery site in St Helens, Conceived by world-renowned Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the artwork takes the form of a young girl’s head with her eyes closed in a seemingly dream-like state, resting on a plinth inspired by the small, circular tally each miner carried as a means of identification. Made of pre-cast concrete with Spanish dolomite aggregate, the iconic sculpture measures 20 metres high and was commissioned by ex-miners and St. Helens Council in tandem with an extensive community engagement programme, and as part of the Big Art Project, a Channel 4 public art initiative, supported by the Arts Council and The Art Fund. The local community was involved in all aspects of developing the artwork which involved ex-miners, local residents and community groups through various events over the project’s lifecycle. Its nature sparks debate and it is undoubtedly a thought provoking image, both from a distance and close up. The sculpture makes a dramatic, magical and mysterious impact on the local landscape with its backdrop of the Mersey Forest. It was originally intended as a landmark and not a tourist destination, however, due to its success, the sculpture is now attracting numerous visitors to its plinth in the Forest Park. To reflect its growing renown, St. Helens Council has committed to develop a long-term plan to accommodate the needs of all members of the local and wider community who may wish to visit Dream and offer improved interpretation as well as improved access to the sculpture.