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connects with people who might not consider going into a gallery or museum .” says Henry .
In 2007 , Henry and his team at the studio created an artwork on a new 200 metre long breakwater , designed to stem coastal erosion on the Northumberland coast . Since then ‘ Couple ’ ( 2008 ) has become a local landmark , attracting a stream of visitors and inspiring local community engagement .
Sheila Harrison , Trustee of Newbiggin Heritage Partnership speaks the positive impact ’ s Henry ’ s work has had on the Northumberland seaside town : “ Since the installation of the breakwater and Sean Henry ’ s iconic Couple , Newbiggin has built on the initiative to attract visitors and re-establish the community as a seaside resort . The village continues to benefit from it with an increase in employment opportunities , flourishing independent shops and leisure facilities .”
Henry ’ s figures confound the historical expectation of figurative monuments in that they bring an emotional charge that engages rather than belittles the viewer . They do not glorify individuals but reflect the striving for connection within humanity , reinforced by the responses people have to the sculptures .
For Henry this is the power of public art “ At the heart of all of these projects are the people who live , work or visit these sites and respond ; who discover within the figures something about themselves .”
In recent years internationally acclaimed figurative sculptor Sean Henry has worked with organisations and individuals to create transformative experiences that bring art into the public realm .
A sculpture of a couple on the Newbiggin coastline Credit : Jason Thompson
Figure at Salisbury Cathedral in partnership with www . seanhenry . com
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