BIG, bold and unashamedly contemporary – meet Peterborough's newest piece of public art.
The 9m-high stainless steel sculpture stands proudly in the north-western corner of The Embankment, overlooking Bishop's Road and the Lido.
Peterborough mayor Marion Todd cut a ribbon in an opening ceremony yesterday, and said the sculpture would breathe new life into The Embankment.
Meanwhile, two of the artists who first started work on the project three years ago, when they were sixth-formers at the city's King's School, called on people in Peterborough to embrace the work.
Daniel Lumb (20), who now studies graphic design at Swansea Institute, said: "It's large and bold for Peterborough. It makes a real statement."
Illustration student at Lincoln University Rachel Snart (20) added: "It is amazing to see our hard work come to fruition.
"I like it and I hope the people of Peterborough do."
The sculpture does not have an official title, but lead artist Richard Gibson, who is also a former King's pupil, said he
approved of the name Gateway, first used by The Evening Telegraph in an article last week.
Gateway is intended to hark back to an age when the only way to reach Peterborough was via the River Nene, and the steel loops represent a barrel stitch knot that would have been used to tie up boats.
Mr Gibson said: "It is absolutely fantastic, and it is wonderful to see the translation from the model to the realisation.
"It has taken three years to reach this stage."
In nearly two months as mayor, Cllr Todd has undertaken dozens of civic duties, but it was clear this ceremony was tinged with extra emotion.
The Embankment falls in Cllr Todd's East ward, and the Tory has long campaigned for the area to be returned to its rightful status as "the jewel in Peterborough's crown".
She said: "This is only the beginning for The Embankment.
"The river used to be so important and, for whatever reason, it was forgotten.
"Now we need to realise its potential again."
The sculpture cost £10,000, and was made possible thanks to a National Lottery grant of £213,000 for communities which have received less funding than others.
The full article contains 377 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
