Adagio - Salford, UK - Abstract Public Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The River Irwell is approximately 39 miles long stretching from Deerplay Moor just north of Bacup in the Pennine Hills to Irlam to the south of Manchester. During the industrial revolution many mills and factories were built along the river’s route and it became very polluted with hardly any life left in it.

After the 1970’s when industry had declined various schemes were implemented to clean up the River and life has returned to it. In 1995 it was decided to develop a 33 mile sculpture trail along the river as part of a multi – million pound redevelopment scheme. It stretches from Bacup in the North to Salford Quays near Manchester.

At Salford Quays the Irwell had been canalised as part of the Manchester Ship Canal construction and had been part of the UK’s 3rd largest port. This area is also a regeneration area that has transformed itself from an industrial site to an area of housing, leisure and offices.

The sculpture was installed in 2007 as part of both the sculpture trail and as an attractive art work outside a new apartment block on the waterfront. The piece is made out of 16 tonnes of cast iron and is tall enough to walk under, standing at an impressive 3.5 metres high and six metres long. It took Charles Hadcock, a Fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors 2 years to make it.

He was born into a family of engineers and his sculpture is influenced by engineering, mathematics and geometry in natural forms. For this piece he was also influenced by the former industrial nature of the site.

Although there are sculptures along the length of the trail there are some spots that have a cluster of sculptures close together. This is one 6 around the Salford Quays area, although separate to the other 5 that were installed in 2010 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the nearby Lowry Centre, an art gallery and theatre.

Title: Adagio Artist: Charles Hadcock Media (materials) used: Cast Iron Location (specific park, transit center, library, etc.): Dock 9, Salford Quays Date of creation or placement: 6/23/2007

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