Spectacular Dream sculpture made reality in Merseyside

by Julian Hamilton. Published Tue 21 Apr 2009 19:35, Last updated: 2009-04-21

A spectacular sculpture of a girl's elongated face has been unveiled on the site of a former Colliery next to the M62 motorway in Merseyside.

Entitled 'The Dream', it was created by a group of ex-miners from Liverpool and Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.

The 400 tonne white public artwork stands 66 ft high (20 metres) and is made from 90 unique panels of pre-cast concrete.

Situated at Junction 9 of the M62 the modern £2 million bust is set to rival other artistic landmarks throughout the countrry.

Gateshead's Angel of the North is a firm favourite and is visited by tens of thousands, but the 50 metre White Horse in Kent, is still in the planning stage and has had a mixed response.

Funded by the arts council 'Dream' was designed in response to Plensa's meeting by a group of ex- miners from Sutton Manor Colliery on Merseyside.

Former miner Gary Conley, who was 17 years old when he first worked at the Colliery from 1974 to 1991, was amoong the team which nominated the site.

Mr Conley, a Council resourse manager, said: 'My ex-colleagues and I have ben involved in the process every strp of the way.

'It's fascinating to see how group of ex-miners now view the world differntly, following this amazing journey.'

Critics of the head have called it a" huge folly" and waste of tax payers money in a time of recession.

Council leaders, including Brian Spencer, have responded positively saying the face is 'an incredible sight.'

Internationally renowned contemporary artist, Jaume Plensa, 53, said:'It is very special. It can be seen close by or from far away.'

He added: "My work is first and foremost about celebrating life and the human experience of standing in-between past and present, present and future, knowledge and ignorance'.

"I fell in love with this site in St Helens as soon as I saw it.

'The spectacular setting, proud heritage, vision for the future, and the warmth, humour and passion of the former miners I have met are all truly inspirational."

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