Stell

Throughout the Northumberland landscape you will find many stone enclosures that are used to provide the local sheep with some shelter out on the wilder areas of the county. Most of us know them as sheepfolds but they are also known locally as Stells.

'Stell', a sculpture by the artist Colin Wilbourn that forms part of the Art and Architecture Trail at Kielder Water, is found on the edge of a field on the Falstone Circular Walk. The walk itself starts near to the Falstone Tea Rooms in the village and takes in a route along the banks of the River North Tyne.

Built in 2006, Stell is constructed from stone and steel and looks like a pair of sofas within a dry stone walled enclosure. It was created to celebrate the local heritage and culture and the steel “throws” are decorated by patterns and drawings by local people. The drawings illustrate things that are important to the people who drew them.

The stone sofas also have some stone cushions you can relax on though it perhaps isn't as comfortable as your sofa at home!

At the centre of the enclosure is a large stone panel which shows a map of Kielder Reservoir and the rivers / burns that feed into it. There are also a series of dots shown within the reservoir itself. Each of these dots represents a farmstead that was submerged during the creation of the reservoir. The names include Hawkhirst, Plashetts, Shilburnhaugh and The Belling.

Describing the way he works, Colin said:

"I work predominantly, but not exclusively, outside and often in public places. I endeavour to make work that is appropriate to its place, both in a physical and conceptual sense. I want it to be accessible, intriguing, involving and enjoyable. I relish the challenge and enjoy working with many different materials having worked with wood, stone, glass, concrete etc. anything and everything including chocolate!

The theme of my work, put simply, is to transform the familiar and ordinary into something extra-ordinary. When appropriate, I like to involve the public in the creation of public artworks whether that be; exchanging ideas, information and skills; working practically; or just working on site."