Engaging with public art through sound

SETTING-OUT is the title of a new sculpture at Homerton Gardens by Harry Gray. This sculpture comprises a single monumental drawing compass cast in bronze, frozen in the act of drawing out a spiral or 'volute' of York stone. 

The work celebrates the history of the area which was home to Rattee and Kett stoneworks. Rattee and Kett was first formed in 1843 and were famous for church and cathedral ornamentation and restoration across the country. The setting out of the spiral shape using a compass and quadrant arcs was a traditional method used by the stonemasons when making hand-carved capitals. Harry himself was trained at Rattee and Kett.

As well as making reference to stonemasonry and craftmanship, the compass refers also to Sir Isaac Newton. Newton is often depicted in paintings holding a compass as he mapped the movement of the planets.

The sculpture was commissioned by Homerton College and Hill Residential, and was managed by Commission Projects. 
Harry Gray lives and works in Cambridge. To find out more about Harry's work visit: www.harrygray.co.uk

For more information, please email: [email protected]