A LANDMARK sculpture dominating the front of a prominent Ilkley business centre is among 41 works of public art to be awarded protected status by national heritage body Historic England.
The Story of Wool, a bas-relief mural created in 1968 by William George Mitchell, the eyecatching centrepiece on the front of International Development Centre, Valley Drive, has been awarded Grade II listed status.
Historic England today announced the listing of 41 sculptures across England which were designed to bring our public spaces back to life after the Second World War.
The works represent a range of themes and artists, including an Antony Gormley masterpiece, his first to be listed, three Barbara Hepworth sculptures and a Henry Moore outside the Houses of Parliament.
Made using bronze-faced glass fibre, The Story of Wool sculpture surrounds the former lecture theatre at the International Development Centre.
The centre, which today houses several businesses, was built by the International Wool Secretariat, the body responsible for developing the Woolmark logo, which was designed to promote products made from pure new wool and manufactured to the highest standards.
Heritage Minister, Tracey Crouch said: “It is only right that these fantastic pieces are listed. Not only are they magnificent sculptures but they are also an important part of our history, capturing the mood of Britain after WWII.”
Historic England says public sculpture became an emblem of renewal, optimism and progress in the postwar years, through national exhibitions such as the 1951 Festival of Britain, created to celebrate the best of what Britain had to offer.
London County Council and “new towns” such as Harlow in Hertfordshire led the way in patronage of public sculpture, commissioning works from some of Europe’s leading artists.
The 41 newly listed pieces capture the mood of post-war public feeling, says Historic England, depicting a range of themes from the celebration of industry in northern England such as mining and wool, to the importance of family, play and even a commemoration to children killed by the Blitz.
Some were unpopular at the time, being seen as too unsettling or too avant-garde and only now are beginning to win more appreciation. The listing recognised them as part of an irreplaceable national collection of public art now being recognised and protected by Historic England
Director of Listing at Historic England, Roger Bowdler, said: “These sculptures were commissioned and created for everybody and have become a precious national collection of art which we can all share. They enrich our lives, bring art to everyone and deserve celebration. We have worked with the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, Tate, and the Twentieth Century Society throughout this project to ensure our most special public art is protected and continues to enhance our public spaces.”
The organisations warned that England’a artistic heritage is in danger of being taken for granted. Historic England has recently warned that some fine works of public art have been destroyed, sold, lost or stolen.