'Leaf Stem' - Lister Gate - Nottingham, Nottinghamshire - Abstract Public Sculptures on Waymarking.com

"In 1985, the pedestrianised Lister Gate in front of St Peter's Church in Nottingham city centre was being redeveloped, and Nottingham City Council commissioned Paul Mason to produce a new public work of art for the Albert Street area. At the time Mason was considered by some to have been 'probably the most important sculptor of his generation in the Midlands'. (Professor David Manley). According to the Nottingham Evening Post (December 1985), Mason's objectives were to produce a work that was 'contemplative and tranquil, to induce calm in a busy city'. Taking a year to complete, and costing £23,000, the result was a marble water sculpture entitled Leaf Stem. As its title suggests, Mason's work is an organic shape derived from nature. Although it does not represent any specific plant, it was based upon his drawings of leaves and bulbs. It was intended that water would be continuously pumped through a pipe hidden in the centre of the sculpture, coming out of the top and would flow down the outside surface into a drain at the base, where it would begin the cycle again. The results should have been: 'different textures of marble cause the water to behave differently and the light to be reflected, especially at night.' (Nottingham Evening Post, 1986). However, this was not to be, and there was trouble ahead."

Around 1988/89 the water quality was investigated by Environmental Health and found to be lacking. This, and another piece in Beeston by Mason was officially deactivated in 1994.

SOURCE - Secret Beeston By Frank E. Earp, Joseph Earp (ISBN 9781445664880)

"Paul Mason (23 June 1952 – 9 May 2006) was a British sculptor and artist working mainly in stone and marble. Winner of the Royal Academy Gold Medal in 1976, his work has been exhibited in the United Kingdom and Europe, including the Tate Gallery, St Ives and the Bauhaus Kunst-Archiv in Berlin."

SOURCE - (visit link)

Title: Leaf Stem Artist: Paul Mason Media (materials) used: Marble Location (specific park, transit center, library, etc.): Lister Gate, Nottingham Date of creation or placement: 1985

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