A little bird told me that this must be the artistic route to Barnsley...

AN ATTENTION-grabbing sculpture celebrating the area’s manufacturing history has gone up in Barnsley.
Paul Slater with his sculpture, which draws inspiration from birds and Barnsleys manufacturing history .Picture: Scott MerryleesPaul Slater with his sculpture, which draws inspiration from birds and Barnsleys manufacturing history .Picture: Scott Merrylees
Paul Slater with his sculpture, which draws inspiration from birds and Barnsleys manufacturing history .Picture: Scott Merrylees

The third of a series of artworks, the four metre high Tin’t Tin Tin (Bird Totem) is the final piece in the Gateway Artwork project, marking key routes into the town centre.

It contains patterns and shapes derived from the decorative tins created by Barnsley Canister Company, once based in the area, and recalls the business’s eclectic products, patterns and bright colours.

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Artist Paul Slater worked on the sculpture with students at Barnsley College, the pupils of Burton Road Primary School and Barnsley Archives and Local Studies department.

Paul Slater with his sculpture, which draws inspiration from birds and Barnsleys manufacturing history .Picture: Scott MerryleesPaul Slater with his sculpture, which draws inspiration from birds and Barnsleys manufacturing history .Picture: Scott Merrylees
Paul Slater with his sculpture, which draws inspiration from birds and Barnsleys manufacturing history .Picture: Scott Merrylees

He said: “The bird theme emerged early in the development of the piece through consultation with local people, and it just worked.

“The birds are playful, totemic and celebratory, whilst reflecting the materials and rich colours used in the products that the Barnsley Canister manufactured.”

It was funded by developers with a contribution from the Arts Council.

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