About the Neptune Centre
The various artworks for the new Neptune Centre began in the early part of 1997, when local poet/writer Bob Beagrie undertook a 2 week ‘residency’ in Berwick Hills. By the end of his 2 weeks, Bob had enough information (given by the local residents) to write a poem entitled “A Curious Eden”.
The poem based on the past and present environment of Berwick Hills gave Martin Donlin (the artist who designed the artworks) an evocative start to designing the features.
The new swimming pool ‘houses’ a series of banners based on Aphrodite, Ceres and Neptune (the God of the Sea) and a stainless steel frieze over 40m long based on Neptune The poem based on Berwick Hills past and present written by Bob Beagrie is engraved onto the frieze and makes an interesting read as you stroll along the covered walkway. The poem reflects the changing lifestyles of local residents and draws upon the rich store of myth, folklore and oral histories that exist just beneath the surface appearance of the ‘ordinary’ housing estate.
Another example of this theme can be seen outside the supermarket on the railings and gates around the site, (which depicts waves and splashes).
There are two 10′ sculptures in the courtyard which illustrate Aphrodite (the Goddess of love ) and Ceres (the Goddess of bountiful harvest). All the artworks can also be seen in the pool area on large banners.
The frieze was ‘christened’ by Duncan Goodhew on 17th April 1998 and Bob Beagrie was on hand to read his poem to the people of Berwick Hills.
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