Roundabout sculpture to reflect 'wonderful place'

Dan Jones and Ailish Treanor will design the sculpture for the roundabout near Goldthorpe

A "gateway showpiece" sculpture is to be installed on a new roundabout near Barnsley, the town council has said.

Sculptor Dan Jones and emerging artist Ailish Treanor will design the artwork for the roundabout to the west of Goldthorpe.

Mr Jones, who lives in Dearne Valley, said the work would "reflect this wonderful place" and "honour local residents".

Funding for the project will come from the £23.1m given to Barnsley Council from the government's Towns Fund.

Mr Jones added: "Having lived in the all my life, this area has greatly influenced my artwork. I collaborate closely with community members on nearly all my projects, and I aim to honour local residents' love for their village."

"It's particularly important to me that every aspect of the sculpture is designed and crafted within the Dearne Valley."

Mr Jones has created sculptures for public spaces, rural environments and private collections across the UK and in South Korea.

Barnsley Council said the project would be completed with Beam, a cultural organisation working across the north of England.

Barnsley-based Ms Treanor is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates sculptures using paper and paint.

She said: "As an artist, I hope to produce public sculptures of my own in the future, so I'm looking forward to finding out as much as I can about what a project like this entails."

Mr Jones and Ms Treanor will hold community engagement workshops in Goldthorpe and Dearne to allow residents to input ideas for the artwork.

Council spokesperson for regeneration and culture, councillor Robin Franklin said the roundabout would play a key role in enabling opportunities to grow the local economy.

He said: "We are proud of the work we are doing to build a bright future for Goldthorpe, with art and culture playing an integral part.

"It is only fitting everyone arriving in the town is offered an inspiring and uplifting welcome and this new artwork will provide just that."

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