Doncaster’s Sir Nigel Gresley Square will see an eight metre high sculpture titled Danum fitted into position tomorrow morning. The piece created by Doncaster-based sculptor Michael Johnson follows a theme from the area’s history. The artist uses stainless steel and bronze as material, though some works utilise glass, stone and found objects. The artist stated; “I wanted to represent a broad cross-section of these factors in the artwork”.
“The sculpture encapsulates this sense of place through cast-bronze references to the town’s past and present. Each of the bronze panels has its own theme represented by artefacts and visual references.“It has been a privilege to make this work and I’m very thankful to all the individuals who have helped and contributed to the project.”
Michael Johnson has been making artworks for public spaces since 1991. His first commission, for the Duchy of Cornwall, a 25 feet high sculptural work in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, won the Birmingham Design Award and has been featured in many publications. He has now completed over 100 commissions for both rural and urban sites throughout the UK. Clients range from national institutions, banks and property developers to local authorities, landscape architects community groups and schools. He has held a number of Lead Artist positions in large regeneration schemes, responsible for designing the arts input, commissioning other practitioners and project managing the implementation of the artworks. ‘Turning the Tide’, the reinstatement of the East Durham coastline after 150 years of industrial spoil, won the interpretation of Great Britain award , achieved heritage status and was opened by the Queen in 2002 by the unveiling of one of the Mike’s sculptures.
Peter Davies the Mayor of Doncaster stated: “It will be a focal point in the Sir Nigel Gresley Square.”