Artwork designed by Newcastle College students to celebrate the legacy of the Tyne Bridge has gone on display in Newcastle.
Around 200 students on Graphics, Animation and Illustration courses were invited to create unique designs inspired by the Tyne Bridge’s role in historic events, regional milestones, and Newcastle and Gateshead’s cultural identity.
30 students were involved in creating the final pieces, and 13 standout artworks were unveiled on Monday 23 June.
Illustration, digital montage, photography, typography and mixed media are among the design techniques used by the students to bring their ideas to life. One design pays tribute to Alan Shearer, Ant and Dec, and Sam Fender alongside civil engineer Dorothy Buchanan, who was a member of the design team when the bridge was constructed nearly 100 years ago.
Mikey Sproat, Level 3 Animation and Illustration student, explained the inspiration behind his artwork. He said: “My inspiration for the piece that I worked on with my peer, Luke, was the sunset - which I used to go and watch on the Quayside with family - with the Tyne Bridge, which is a view I see on my way to and from college. Then we incorporated colours to ensure the Tyne Bridge design stands out from the sunset and background colours.”
Esh Construction introduced the project brief to Newcastle College students last year, through a workshop held at the Tyne Bridge Information Hub on the quayside. The project has supported the students with their coursework and work experience requirements, and is just one of the ways that Esh has involved the community in the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, which it is delivering in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.
Billy Tate, Head of Digital Arts at Newcastle College, reflected on the impact the creative project has had. He said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to connect with the heritage of the North East through their creativity. The Tyne Bridge is an iconic symbol of our region, and we’re incredibly proud to see our learners’ work celebrating its legacy and future.
"Collaborating with Esh has given our students real-world experience and a meaningful opportunity to develop their skills. Gaining hands-on experience through projects like this is vital in helping our students build confidence, strengthen their portfolios, and prepare for the demands of the creative industries.”
Kate Marshall, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Newcastle College on this unique social value project. We want to create engaging and meaningful experiences for as many people as possible, and students have been able to demonstrate and showcase their skills, while also learning about the bridge’s history and how the iconic structure is being restored, preserved and futureproofed for the generations to come.”
Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Juna Sathian and Gateshead Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr John McElroy attended the unveiling event.
Cllr Juna Sathian said: “The Tyne Bridge is the defining symbol of the North East, which not only captures people’s hearts, but also their imagination as these fantastic students have demonstrated.
“We’re really proud to be restoring this icon to its former glory and taking people on the journey with us, and this social value programme is an important part of that.
“Social value allows us to ensure that the Tyne Bridge restoration also has a positive impact felt by our communities, through skills development, education, community engagement and both employing and procuring locally.”
Cllr John McElroy said: “The Tyne Bridge is so much more than just a bridge over the river. Everyone across Tyneside and the North East feels its power as a symbol of home, and it’s great to see these young people being inspired by the bridge to produce this fantastic artwork.
“With sections of the bridge closed off for lengthy periods, it’s great that we can make use of the areas like this pedestrian tunnel to show off the students’ artwork, and cement the bond they feel with the structure and its history.”
The artwork is currently on display in the Tyne Bridge Information Hub which is based on Lombard Street in Newcastle City Centre with a view to it being installed on the Newcastle Quayside in the coming weeks. The hub is open for members of the public to visit Monday to Friday 10am until 2pm, and no appointment is necessary.