Harry Grey
Propellor, 2008, stone and bronze
Ravenswood

This artwork is based on the form of a three bladed propeller. It is on the edge of the new green space a starting/meeting point to the village green.

The shape is a direct reference to the airfield history of the site. It is a circular work with the main propeller form at the centre – moving out from the centre a series of circular discs that get progressively larger as they near the edge. The discs begin at the centre showing the simple form of the three bladed propeller, the next tier of discs have six blades, the next have twelve and so on until the outer discs transform into flowers motifs. This transition symbolises the changing use of the site from airfield to a green space designed for nature and leisure.

The work is constructed from stone and bronze. Dark riven slate from Caithness is has be used to construct the three propeller blades; this is a very durable and beautiful material. The centre that connects the three blades is made from a contrasting lighter coloured natural Yorkstone. Bronze discs are set within the Yorkstone. The discs are small at the centre and get progressively larger towards the edge.

Harry Gray, an established artist of national stature, was invited to design and construct a work for the Ravenswood Village Green. The brief was to produce a piece of work that harked back to the history of site as an Aerodrome in the 20th century but which would enhance the new environment into the 21st; a place for all, that embraced the natural landscape in which it sat.