Boy and Bicycle Sculpture

Art In Hartlepool, County Durham

A sculpture in Hartlepool paying tribute to Ridley Scott and Tony Scott.

In a quiet corner of the Transport Interchange car park, Lynn Street, off Church Street in Hartlepool, there's a life-size metal installation. Boy and Bicycle is a tribute to the directors Ridley Scott (born 1937) and Tony Scott (1944 to 2012)

The reason for this tribute was that both had attended West Hartlepool College of Arts, and Boy and Bicycle was a short film that Ridley had produced, starring Tony. Filmed around the Hartlepool area with their Dad driving whilst Ridley operated a camera in the boot as Tony rode his bike.

From a British Film Industry website:

"Ridley Scott's first film - featuring his younger brother, the late Tony Scott, as a schoolboy playing truant for the day to meander around Hartlepool on his bicycle - is a far cry from the director's Hollywood blockbusters, a lyrical and highly personal evocation of the early sixties North East. Taking inspiration from James Joyce's Ulysses, Scott employs a stream of consciousness that reveals the everyday thoughts and frustrations of the teenage schoolboy. Scott shot in black and white on a Bolex 16mm cine-camera while studying photography at the Royal College of Art in London in 1962. In post-production, Scott was able to secure a score from John Barry, with the composer recording an original piece after being impressed with the young filmmaker's work."

Ridley and Tony Scott have directed many blockbusters; Ridley with the likes of Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator. Tony with Top Gun, True Romance, and The Taking of Pelham 123.

Boy and Bicycle was erected in 2018, the creator was Steven Wilkie, and the fabricator was Bob Hollywood (born 1971). The budget was not enough for the original idea that an Alien monster would draw in fans and photographic opportunities. The modest Boy and Bicycle reflects both brothers' contributions to the film industry. This depiction is taken from a still of the boy riding down Church Street with the Hartlepool Art Gallery (former Church) in the background.

After Hartlepool, Ridley Scott went on to study photography at the Royal College of Art, where he helped set up the film department. In his final year, 1962, he came back to Hartlepool to film his final show. He was 25 years old when he directed his brother Tony, who was 18 years old, as a young boy on the bicycle. The film mentions being 16, so I guess that's the essence of the film at being a carefree lad

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54.686705, -1.20943

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Where To Park For Boy and Bicycle Sculpture?

The sculpture is just on the outskirts of Lynn Street car park.

Contributed by Rosalind Parker

Thank you for reading. I hope it sparks your interest. It’s always a pleasure to get out and explore, whatever the weather. I enjoy uncovering little snippets of information, especially when they’re obscure, amusing, or meaningful. All photos were taken on a mobile phone.

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