Artist Joseph Hillier will create a 16m steel structure to celebrate the North-east town's industrial heritage

Sedgefield borough council has announced that artist Joseph Hillier is to create a 16m-tall steel-frame sculpture as a landmark artwork for a business park at Newton Aycliffe in the North-east.

The sculpture, entitled “In Our Image”, is intended to “celebrate the town's proud industrial heritage”. Local artist Hillier will begin work on the piece today, with installation scheduled for the coming winter.

The site for the structure will be Aycliffe Business Park in Durham County, one of the largest business parks in the North-east. The council describes the park, which employs 8,000 people, as an essential driver for the regional economy.

North-east contractor Aycliffe Fabrications will manage the five-month construction and fabrication project and ensure the artist receives the necessary technical support.

As the regional development agency, we see investment in public art and the wider cultural agenda as a driver of regeneration

Ed Rowley, acting director of regeneration at One NorthEast

Civil engineering consultant on the project is Arup, which has tested a 3D virtual model of the sculpture to ensure it can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Ed Rowley, acting director of regeneration at One NorthEast, said: “As the regional development agency, we see investment in public art and the wider cultural agenda as a driver of regeneration - a symbol of economic confidence and growth.”

Matthew Jarratt, of Commissions North - part of Arts Council England, North East - said: “In Our Image will be the largest artwork which artist Joseph Hillier has ever produced and it is fantastic that it has been developed at Newton Aycliffe within one of the leading business environments in the region.

"Arts Council England is focused on ensuring that there is great art for more people in the region and our track record of ambitious public sculpture is now recognised internationally.”