Norfolk Stone Carver Commissioned To Create Hop-Based Sculpture For Hingham
A Norfolk stonemason has been commissioned to produce a new piece of public artwork for the village of Hingham – and the work will celebrate the area’s brewing heritage.
Teucer Wilson, whose studio is at Burgh-next-Aylsham, has been commissioned to produce the artwork by local house builder Abel Homes, which is building 88 new family homes in the village, on land which was once owned by 19th century brewing magnate Charles Crawshay, of Youngs, Crawshay and Youngs fame.
The new development is called ‘The Hops’ – and the artwork will reflect that theme. It will consist of two standing stones made from York stone: one will be two metres high and inscribed with the first stanza of the poem ‘Hops, oh wonderful hops’ (author unknown); the second will be sculpted into a metre-high hop.
The work is the latest in a series of public artworks commissioned by Abel Homes, which in 2008 committed to creating a public artwork by a local artist at each of the sites where it builds new homes.
Maggie Abel of Abel Homes said, “We decided to commission these artworks to act as a focal point for the new communities which we create in Norfolk, something which can give the community a sense of identity. By commissioning these works from Norfolk artists, we are also supporting our own local artistic community, and ensuring that their work will be on public display in perpetuity.
“For our site in Hingham, we wanted a work which reflected the brewing heritage of the site and of the village.”
Teucer Wilson came to Norfolk in 2000 after serving a five year apprenticeship at a leading stone carver in London, and has completed a number of high-profile commissions, including at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, the RAF Bircham Newton War Memorial, and the Blaenavon Gateway in south Wales.
This will be the second time Mr Wilson has been commissioned to produce a piece of artwork by Abel Homes – a standing stone carved by him is situated on the site of a former dairy in Old Catton, Norwich.
The new artwork will be installed on a piece of public open space at the front of the site, which is on Norwich Road in the village. It is due to be unveiled in the spring.
The poem to be inscribed on the stone is as follows:
Hops, hops, oh wonderful hops
For you our passion is true
You flavour our beer
And at least once a year
We grind you up in a brew