Beacon of Hope (sculpture)

Beacon of Hope
Artist Andy Scott
Year 2006
Type Steel
Dimensions 19.5 m (64 ft)
Location Belfast

The Beacon of Hope[1] or Thanksgiving Square Beacon[2] is a £300,000[3] public art metal sculpture by Andy Scott 19.5 metres high constructed in 2007[3] in Thanksgiving Square[4] in Belfast.[3] As with other public works of art in Ireland the sculpture has been given several nicknames. These include Nuala with the Hula (credited to Gerard Doyle), the Belle on the Ball, the Thing with the Ring or the Angel of Thanksgiving.[5][6][7] It is currently the second largest public art sculpture in Belfast, after Rise on Broadway Roundabout.

Construction

The sculpture is the result of six years of planning, development and eventual fabrication. Made of stainless steel and cast bronze, she spirals upwards and holds aloft "the ring of thanksgiving".[8] The globe at her feet indicates the universal philosophy of peace, harmony and thanksgiving, and has marked on its surface the cities where the people and industries of Belfast migrated and exported to.

The sculpture was fabricated by P.F. Copeland of Newtownabbey,[9] who worked from original scale maquettes by Scott, with the bronze globe cast by Beltane Studios in Peebles.[8]

As an icon for Belfast it has been adopted by Belfast City Council, tourism authorities, TV companies and several businesses as an emblem and logo; and in early October 2006 was recognised as the best artwork in the city by the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce.[8]

Concept

The artwork is based on a concept proposed by Myrtle Smyth,[3] who was inspired by Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas in Texas.

Lord Diljit Rana, Baron Rana, chairman of the Thanksgiving Square charity, said the aim of the project was to create some public space for giving thanks.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Thanksgiving Square". Visit Belfast. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Thanksgiving Square Beacon". Andy Scott. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lagan's lady nearing completion". BBC News. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "Belfast set for 'major makeover'". BBC News. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Teardrop? Tulip? Top public art nicknames". BBC Northern Ireland. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Angel of Thanksgiving". Mark Seaton Studio. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Lula with the Hula". Alamy. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 "Andy Scott Sculptures".
  9. ↑ Andy Scott

Coordinates: 54°35′58.19″N 5°55′17.18″W / 54.5994972°N 5.9214389°W / 54.5994972; -5.9214389

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