New iconic art installation unveiled at Kingspan Stadium
A new sculpture featuring an abstract representation of rugby in Ulster has been unveiled at Kingspan Stadium ahead of the province’s Guinness PRO12 match against Leinster.
The installation, created by artist, Sara Cunningham-Bell and funded by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL), features 16 figures, fashioned from plasma cut, high strength low alloy and stainless steel, representing those who play or participate in rugby in the province.
Mini rugby, the womens’ game, volunteers and the senior Ulster Rugby team are all portrayed in the artwork which runs for 90 metres behind the premium stand at the ground.
The centerpiece of the new sculpture stands at over five metres tall and depicts a line-out which serves as a visual reminder of both the physical power of rugby and the trust that exists in the game between team-mates.
At the top of the jump is a ball made from mirror-finished steel. The line-out and the players are lit up by LEDs recessed in the ground, which throw light and create 3D shadows.
Below the figures is a red lightning strip which subtly incorporates a timeline charting the key moments in the game’s evolution in the province.
The installation is designed to be a physically active piece and fans are encouraged to get up close and to engage with the artwork.
The sculpture will also be incorporated into the tours of Kingspan Stadium which will begin when the new Nevin Spence Centre opens its doors.
Throughout the development of the artwork, Sara worked with local schools to transfer her creative skills and knowledge.
Sculptor, Sara Cunningham-Bell, who is from Belfast but is now based in Coleraine, says a conversation around a dinner table was the creative spark for the design. She says:
“I sat with some rugby-mad teenagers and asked them ‘what would you like to see there?’ They said that they wanted something that would inspire and excite fans and so I set out to create something that was visually dynamic as well as being poignant.
“The sculpture is formed around the concept of teamwork within the game of rugby. Like watching the sport itself, you can see either the individual elements in isolation or the many parts working as one.
“I would like to thank the companies that I worked with on this project – the fabricator, MIM, Bell Architects, Chroma lighting and the engineer Ambrose McCloskey in helping the vision become a reality.
“I would also like to thank DCAL and Ulster Rugby for this wonderful opportunity.”
Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: “I am delighted that DCAL was able to invest £40,000 in this art project at the Kingspan Stadium. It shows the collaboration between sports and arts and I am also pleased that the sculptor Sara was able to consult with young people about the project and they can now see their views interpreted into the art form that we see today.
“I would like to congratulate Ulster Rugby, Sara and everyone who worked together to bring this project to fruition.”
President of the IRFU (Ulster Branch), John Kinnear, believes that the new sculpture will become a much-loved addition to Kingspan Stadium:
He said: “The new sculpture is absolutely magnificent and incorporates all the values that Ulster Rugby holds dear – namely inclusivity, teamwork and sporting excellence.
“I would like to thank Sara for her vision and her remarkable ability in creating such a wonderful piece of art. I would also like to thank DCAL for funding the project and for their ongoing support.
“I have no doubt that this sculpture will be enjoyed by generations of Ulster Rugby fans to come and it is another fantastic addition to our already world-class stadium.”
