The Mayflower

The arrival of the Mayflower (the sculpture which once stood outside Central Hall, and looked like a crisp) was documented by the University News Sheet, issue 211, March 1990.

Mayflower Arrives

Mayflower 1, by local sculptor Michael Lyons has recently appeared next to Central Hall. Made of steel the sculpture was constructed in conjunction with Mayflower Engineering of Sheffield. The simple form, heightened by applied colour, is intended to hold its own in a large open space. Mayflower is on permanent loan, subject to an annual review.

Michael Lyons lives in Cawood, near Selby, and studied sculpture at Wolverhampton College of Art and the University of Newcastle. He is Head of the MA course in Fine Art at Manchester Polytechnic and a founder member of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

In recent years he has concentrated mainly on steel for large works and bronze for small pieces. Some recent sculptures have been too big for his studio and he has begun to liaise with local industry, working alongside engineers and fabricators, in carrying out his ideas.

He has work sited in both rural and urban settings throughout the country and the region.

Mayflower I was graffittied once or twice, and sadly was removed from campus. We have some pictures of the sculpture with graffitti and being cleaned.

The sculpture has now been retired to a quiet garden in Cawood, near the church.

Related pages:

Algol
Dryad, Tears of St Lawrence, `Library Sculpture', Three Norns
Antiphon
The Buddah
Rose of York

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