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.
As part of the regeneration of the area a modern art gallery and theatre called the Lowry Centre was opened in 2000. In 2010 a project was set up to celebrate the Lowry’s 10th anniversary and with the support of The Heritage Lottery Fund 5 sculptures were installed around Salford Quays with a group title of
Unlocking Salford Quays.
This piece entitled Erie’s Rest is situated where the short stretch of Mariners Canal meets the Salford Quays. “Made in 2010 with local families from Weaste and Ordsall and Salford based ceramicist Beverley Gee.
The shape of this sculpture echoes the ebb and flow of the Canal. The artist was inspired by stories of an ancestor who claimed to have walked on both the Canal floor during its construction, and the Canal surface when it froze to ice.
The sculpture is decorated with ceramics showing drawings of dockers at work. Their job was to unload a ship’s cargo and load it onto rail wagons lined up along the Docks. The task was heavy and demanding and took place outdoors in all weathers.
Ingrid Hu worked with a number of local families to research the Docks’ history and discussions focused on the quantity and variety of cargo. Imports carried along this once busy waterway included rum from Jamaica, grain from Canada and Texas and timber from the Baltic states.”
Ingrid Hu “is an artist and scenographer originally from Taiwan but now based in London.
The original idea for Erie’s Rest comes from reading stories about the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal. This impressive engineering endeavour moved me to create a piece of artwork that would reflect the spirit of the time, whilst also offering a useful public amenity for local residents.
How did you decide on a design and the appropriate materials to use?
As a place of rest, the material substance of the artwork is also an integral part of how people experience it. After considering materials such as concrete and glass, I decided to use air-dried oak sleepers instead. These reflect the industrial heritage of the site (in particular the connection to the railway network), and give tactility to the installation, inviting exploration and examination from those who sit.
How did you work with the community to develop this piece?
The original design concept of an undulating ‘canal bed’ on which residents could sit, and on which local history could be displayed, underwent several developments as a result of working with local families. Salford-based ceramic artist Beverley Gee produced a variety of individual plaques onto which narratives of the site are printed.”