Peterborough Arch

Figure 1: Image courtesy of Lee Grandjean. Copyright 1981.
LEE GRANDJEAN

Peterborough Arch

The original sculpture seen here at Lee Grandjean’s workshop before being installed in its current site at Thorpe Meadow Park in 1988. This site-specific piece on the Parkway side of Thorpe Meadows align the front of Peterborough Cathedral and the city centre. A 13ft high figure made of Oroko wood and pegged together, goes through a gateway construction, though this is commonly misunderstood as people speed by in their cars.

The sculpture is a part of the Peterborough Sculpture Collection, which was started by the Peterborough Development Corporation when Peterborough was being developed as a new town1.

Grandjean said, “Before I started even thinking about what I would make, I went to visit the Nene Valley area. I chose the precise spot by one of the main routes into the city. It is the spot where you first see the far distant cathedral, which marks the medieval centre of Peterborough”.

“My sculptural idea centres on several themes. Firstly, ENTRANCE, a figure enters through a portal, over a threshold. Arms are raised in acknowledgement and a welcome greeting. Secondly the portal is not simply architectural but of nature, arching and spreading tree forms. Thirdly the arch of the sculpture deliberately echoes the Gothic arches of the far cathedral at the city’s centre to which the figure strides. Fourthly it is about a dynamic relationship between human and nature, seen as one whole, finding and understanding our relationship with nature is one of the profound issues of our time“2.

After more than 34 years, the Peterborough Arch will be removed from the park

The iconic sculpture, which is seen by thousands of people every day, will be temporarily removed so that necessary conservation work can be done. The arch will be stored over the winter as conservators examine it for damage, with the intricate joints and carvings on its face and hands expected to take up the majority of the restoration effort at this point. Nene Park Trust will start raising money once the scope of the project is determined to make sure the city doesn’t lose this famous monument.

Matthew Bradbury, Nene Park Trust’s Chief Executive is optimistic that the sculpture will be reinstated the following year after receiving some urgently required care and attention. As a nonprofit organisation, he anticipates that ensuring the reinstallation of this important monument will necessitate a large amount of public support3. Please contact Nene Park Trust if you would like to support and assist the conservation initiative.

Please get in touch if you have any additional information about Peterborough Arch that you would like to share. Thank you.

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Peterborough Arch
Figure 2: The Peterborough Arch as it appeared when it was first installed in Thorpe Meadow.
Figure 3: The Peterborough Arch seen from afar. Photo courtesy of Lee Grandjean
Peterborough Arch
Figure 4: The Peterborough Arch stands by the Parkway, greeting visitors as they pass by.

References:
1. Briggs, S (2022) Iconic Peterborough Ferry Meadows sculpture to be removed from park after 34 years (online) Available at: https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/iconic-peterborough-ferry-meadows-sculpture-to-be-removed-from-park-after-34-years-3878972 [Accessed: 16 Oct 2022]
2. Grandjean, L. (2021) Peterborough Arch [email]
3. Senior, M. (2022) Iconic Peterborough sculpture to be removed from park after over 30 years (online) Available at: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/iconic-peterborough-sculpture-removed-park-25260925 [Accessed: 16 Oct 2022]
Images:
Figure 1: Grandjean, L. (nd) Peterborough Arch in artist’s workshop [image]
Figure 2: Grandjean, L. (nd) Newly intsalled Peterborough Arch. Photo from the artist [image]
Figure 3: Grandjean, L. (nd) Peterborough Arch from a distant. Photo from the artist [image]
Figure 4: Fu, R (2021) Peterborough Arch today photo taken by Ronna Fu [image]