King Street Stairs

As part of the “Summer in the City” activity programme, curated by NE1 (who manage the Business Improvement District of Newcastle), a striking new work of art has been unveiled this past week on a historic staircase near Newcastle's Quayside.

The staircase, on King Street, consists of 44 steps leading from the street up to the Grade I listed All Saints Church, which is the only elliptical church building in England. The fact it has 44 steps is a nice coincidence as NE1 worked with local art curators Unit 44 to commission the internationally renowned French street artist Florence Blanchard to transform the flight of steps with her distinctive and colourful work.

Installed and unveiled recently, the artwork consists of an abstract, colourful vinyl painting in purples, pinks and blues which transforms the staircase and provides a striking addition to the area, changing the view of the stairs from the Quayside. The artwork reflects NE1's wider aims of improving connections between the Quayside and the city, and of reintegrating the numerous staircases that stretch up from the Quayside into day-to-day use. Using art to improve the urban experience.

The artwork will remain in place for an extended period into the autumn and forms part of a wider series of summer trials and installations along the Quayside which you may have seen on your travels.