Throughout May we’re celebrating art inspired by the Tyne Bridge. This instantly recognisable bridge connecting Newcastle and Gateshead is nestled at the heart of the North East. For many, the sight of the Tyne Bridge means coming home. Built from steel and granite, the bridge has come to symbolise all that is best about Tyneside’s industrial tradition and it’s history of engineering and innovation.
Through the course of history there have been four main bridges crossing the Tyne close to the current site; Pons Aelius built by the Romans in 122AD, a second bridge in 1179, a Georgian bridge in 1781 and finally, the bridge we know today, the ‘New Tyne Bridge’ completed in 1928.
‘The Old Georgian Tyne Bridge’ by Rod Alder
Rod Alder has taken us back in history and provided an imagined glimpse of the Georgian bridge in 1840 in this original sepia watercolour painting. Although the scene is set nearly 200yrs ago it is easy to recognise many familiar sites; the castle keep, Cathedral, along with ships moored on the Quayside.
See more historic views by Rod Alder over on his artist page:
https://northeastartcollective.co.uk/product-category/artists/rod-alder/
Work began on the ‘New Tyne Bridge’ in August 1925. The bridge, was designed by Mott, Hay & Anderson who also famously designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge started in 1924, and the two bridges share their iconic shape and structure. The motives for building this colossal bridge were two fold; primarily to improve transport links between Gateshead’s High Street and Newcastle’s Pilgrim Street, the Tyne Bridge project also provided a form of unemployment relief for skilled Tyneside workers. Constructing the bridge provided livelihoods for those facing dire employment prospects and an uncertain future.
The bridge builders risked their lives high above the waters of the Tyne, scaling heights and structures with remarkable agility of ‘Spidermen’. Perched over 80 feet above the river, the men worked without the benefit of safety harnesses and ropes. Their ability to work at great heights was second to none.
‘Spiderman’ by Jan Radwanski
Jan Radwanski is a photography artist, whose work includes some incredible digitally enhanced photographs of the Tyne Bridge being constructed. Jan uses images taken from original glass plate photographic slides to give us a window into what it might have been like working on the bridge and living at the time.
For a full look at Jan’s fascinating work why not take a look at his artist page:
https://northeastartcollective.co.uk/product-category/artists/jan-radwanski/
On October 10, 1928, tens of thousands of citizens of Newcastle and Gateshead lined the streets as King George V officially opened the Tyne Bridge. This fascinating contemporary footage shows the final girder being secured and the opening of the ‘New Tyne Bridge.’
As he opened the bridge, George V expressed his hope that the bridge would “help to bring back to your city the full tide of prosperity”. The Tyne Bridge stands as a symbol to the regions industrial past, it’s engineering heritage and as a monument to the North East character and spirit. It is no surprise therefore that it has been an inspiration to so many artists and is represented in many works of art.
At North East Art Collective, we have a dedicated area we call “Location Location Location”! Here we feature works inspired by a different area in the region every month. Pop in and see us at the top floor of Eldon Gardens if you’re in town, or check out our shop section for the full catalogue of all our artists work.