Detail View: SHIMMER: Tudor Square

Title: 
Tudor Square
Creation Date: 
1991
Image Date: 
1996
Period: 
20th century
Location: 
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Country: 
ENGLAND, UK
Display Creator: 
MASON , Sheffield City Council ; RENTON HOWARD WOOD LEVIN ; SPRAGUE , DAVIES
Image ID: 
96-0007
Description: 
Exterior view: View looking down Tudor Square (Sheffield City Council, 1991) to the Crucible Theatre (RHWL Architects, 1971) at the bottom. Lyceum Theatre is to the right rear ( by SPRAGUE, 1897, renovated by RHWL Architects). The Graves Art Gallery and City Library (DAVIES, 1934) is visible (near right). Artworks in the square (1991): Stone carving on the wall surrounding the centre of the square and tree grilles and railings by Paul MASON. Mosaics set into the paving of the square by Sue MASON (now Susan DISLEY). Boulsover Monument by Richard PERRY. Commission: Sheffield City Council, funded by J. G. Graves Charitable Trust. [Update 2005] No date has been published for the reconstruction of Tudor Square. We have been unable to establish what will happen to the various elements of this artwork. Comment: "Tudor Square is a recent invention. It had been an unfocused open space, oddly left between buildings of civic pride and purpose. The space had long been used as a car park. Creation of a square was undertaken when the city took stock of its image prior to the World Student Games in 1991. It was conceived as an arts square. This focus was sensible as the space opened up on all sides to buildings where performances, exhibitions, entertainment took place. The restoration of the Lyceum Theatre was already under consideration. Tudor Square is not a square in the sense of it being an open space of that shape. It is actually a grassed oval which, on a sloping site, creates a flat stage for performances, for displays, for strolling round. The oval is bound by a low stone wall upon which a very intricately placed sequence of marks are carved. Paul Mason, Lead Artist for the project, has said that what was "fundamental to all the practices (in the area) was communication" and that "mark making was fundamental to communication". This became the aesthetic for the square. Marks by which man communicates are found not only on the wall, but form the basis of the design for the tree grilles and railings also in the square. Into the pavement Sue Mason has also set a number of fluid marks. These mosaics were to help orientation in the square. At the Graves Gallery end, a bronze memorial to Thomas Boulsover was placed. Lastly, though invisible from the square, a stairwell of stained glass was commissioned for the Lyceum. "A plaque on the Central Library building in the square directs attention to Tudor Square's distinctiveness. 'The stone wall, mosaics, railings and tree grilles celebrate early signs and symbols of communication amongst people. From such marks all cultures developed different alphabets and languages.' " Text taken from 'Going Public' by Elizabeth Norman. There was also an exhibition of preliminary sketches, studies and maquettes at the Graves Art Gallery prior to the artworks being installed.
Rights: 
© Sheffield Hallam University
Permissions: 
For educational use only. This image may be used in print or digital materials provided that full acknowledgment is given, expressed as follows: " © < insert details from the 'Rights' field >. Photographed by < insert details from the 'Photographed by' field >."
Related Information: 
Tudor Square. For more information see also < http://public-art.shu.ac.uk/sheffield/maso52.html > and < http://public-art.shu.ac.uk/info/tudorsq1.html >
Photographed by: 
Dave Ball
Creator: 
RENTON HOWARD WOOD LEVIN (RHWL ARCHITECTS)
Creator Role: 
Architectural firm.
Creator: 
MASON, Sue (now DISLEY, Susan)
Creator Role: 
Artist.
Culture Gender: 
Female.
Nationality: 
British.
Creator: 
MASON, Paul
Creator Dates - Born: 
1952
Creator Dates - Died: 
2006
Creator Role: 
Lead artist.
Culture Gender: 
Male.
Nationality: 
British.
Creator: 
Sheffield City Council
Creator Role: 
Architects Division, Department of Design and Building Services.
Creator: 
SPRAGUE, W.G.R.
Creator Dates - Born: 
1863
Creator Dates - Died: 
1933
Creator Role: 
Architect.
Culture Gender: 
Male.
Nationality: 
British. Born in Australia.
Subject Heading: 
Architecture -- 1900-2000
Subject Heading: 
Architecture -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Theatres -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Garden squares -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Public art -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Landscape design -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
City squares -- England -- Sheffield