Bird In Flight

BOB DAWSON

Bird in Flight

The artwork was initially titled Shearwater¹ by the artist Bob Dawson. Bob Dawson, a well-known British sculptor of the 20th century, lived from 1921 until 2012. He was born in Holywell, North Wales.

Bird in Flight was commissioned by Peterborough Environment City Trust as part of the Green Wheel network of cycling pathways, which is a continuous network of cycleways, footpaths, and bridleways throughout the city. It is built of sheet metal and stands 200 cm tall.

The sculpture is currently referred to as Bird in Flight. It is unclear when and why the name was changed. Bird in Flight, which was formerly located in Morton’s Leam, next to Stanground, was relocated in 2018, according to Vivacity Culture and Leisure and Nene Park Trust. The sculpture’s new location close to the country park’s Visitor Center is intended to “attract further attention from the public, highlighting Peterborough’s sculpture collection as one of the city’s best artistic assets,” according to Vivacity, the former trust that oversaw cultural and leisure services in Peterborough².

The Bird in Flight, which is situated next to Overton Lake, has the appearance of gliding through the air. The biodiversity of the Fens, which surround Peterborough, is reflected in the sculpture on a plain tapering obelisk. Bob Dawson’s work is inspired by his early recollections of growing up in Wales, as well as his relationship with nature and the birth, decline, death, and rebirth cycle. The artist intends for the Bird in Flight to symbolise not just the beauty of natural life, but also the energy and urgency of life itself, as well as our courage to persevere in the face of adversity³.

“Art is about looking, feeling and enjoying. If it needs a lot of explaining then it has moved into a different field – not mine.” – Bob Dawson

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