Charles Sansbury’s Difficult Rocket Sculpture in Merthyr

Posted on October 6th, 2008 filed in Merthyr Tydfil, Photos, S & M

Charles Sansbury Sculpture at Merthyr TydfilThis is a decidedly difficult sculpture. An imposing steel rocket-like structure on the edge of Merthyr town.

When the late Charles Sansbury created this massive installation way back in 1975, little did he realise how unloved his gangly child would become.

Logic and reason suggest that it is difficult not to notice this work at a height of approximately 20 feet. The fact is, most people do not notice it.

The sculpture was installed at the edge of Merthyr main car park, in front of Merthyr College, and at the entrance of the footbridge leading into St Tydfil’s shopping centre.

Although it was guaranteed a daily audience of thousands of passers-by, few noticed when it was recently moved to the Caedraw roundabout as part of a town landscaping project.

And the colour seems to have changed. It was previously painted in dark matt colours, now it’s been stripped of colour. To better effect, in our opinion.

The new location causes difficulty. It sits in the middle of Merthyr town’s busiest roundabout, near the T Mobile call centre and Welsh Assembly buildings. The onlooker and photographer is distracted.

The steel sculpture is difficult to like because we don’t think it reflects the reality of Merthyr’s industrial history. This sculpture doesn’t tell us any story about the struggles of working people who created Merthyr’s vast industrial wealth.

Enjoy Photos of the Charles Sansbury ‘rocket’ in the Gallery





One Response to “Charles Sansbury’s Difficult Rocket Sculpture in Merthyr”

  1. Gus Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    I agree this doesn\\\’t say much about the industrial heritage of Merthyr any more. I tink the location is key to the work, which was originally situated in the town centre, where the escalators in St Tydfil\\\’s square now are, it was then sadly dumped on the college location some time during the early 90s. I remember the original location in the centre of St Tydfil\\\’s Square as a child. The viewer’s experience of the work being of a much more imposing object than it is today. You would experience the huge mat black object close up, looking up to the sky from underneath or at close proximity, able to touch and feel the cold steel as you looked up to inspect the complex shapes against the sky. A 20th century response to the past pointing to the aspirations and hopes for the future?
    Today however maybe the work communicates more about the technological age, appropriate maybe to be so close to T-Mobile! A giant telephone mast, ever present but un-accessible as a physical/tactile experience, standing assertively yet invisible amongst the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Leave a Comment

What Next ... ?


Get Aberdare Blog Newsletter ...