Germination Sculptures, Portrack Marsh
Art In Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Huge plant shoots created by Andrew McKeown from Corten Steel.
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My brother and I were on an adventure to seek out barrages and vertical lift bridges and on route we goggled at an installation called Germination. We were skirting around Portrack Marsh, a Site of Special Scientific Importance near the River Tees, somewhere between Middlesbrough and Stockton. It was a gloomy day, but my brother had much to say to keep us buoyed on the way.
The creator of Germination is Andrew McKeown (Born 1970), who is also known for Jewels of the sea, Seaham, and Organisms Saltburn by the sea. You may notice his work often features several similar pieces, as Andrew says, “I have created families of artworks.”
There are 7 sculptures, and school children from Stockton were encouraged by Andrew to add their input. The Tees Wildlife Trust were on hand for funding as they manage the site. It was installed in 2005.
There are some photos that Andrew has permitted us to use, showing the original concept
I asked if he expected the area to become naturally overgrown. Andrew said
“I wasn't planning for this but I wasn't expecting a lawn either.”
Here are some of his photos when it was nicer.
The seven rusted steel sculptures comprising 'Germination' appear to be growing out of the ground at the entrance to Portrack Meadows Wildlife Park. With a modest budget these fabricated Core ten steel sculpture of plant shoots rise up like the nearby cooling towers from the earth below. The sculptures aim to signify the importance of preserving and promoting wildlife alongside and within areas dominated by industry.
Andrew McKeown Website
Like the Ray Lonsdale sculptures, these are also made out of Corten Steel.
You may fancy exploring the park, and if like me, a little curious as to the name Portrack, then here is an explanation.
Remarkably, Portrack Marsh has survived relatively undisturbed at the centre of urban Teesside. Maps from the end of the last century show marsh covering some 25 hectares - much larger than it is today. A loop of the River Tees twisting around its northern edge allowed ships to reach port at Stockton. These ships had to be dragged upriver by horses - a process known as 'racking', hence the name 'Port Rack'. In 1830, excavations cut across this tortuous loop to save significant sailing time between the North Sea and Stockton's quays.
Tees Wildlife Trust
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Where Is Germination Sculptures Portrack Marsh?
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54.572324, -1.268485
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Where To Park For Germination Sculptures Portrack Marsh?
You can park right next to the sculptures. There are some river walks in the area too.
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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