Untitled 3

Sandstone 1996

Motherwell Heritage Centre Car Park, High Road, Motherwell

The symbols of the high relief carving represent (reading from the top left to the bottom right).

1. Leisure and recreational facilities – the form used here is derived from an alchemical symbol meaning "swimming pool".

2. Modern industries – central to contemporary development in Motherwell is light industry such as information technology and food packaging. This particular symbol can be interpreted as a computer.

3. Past industries – the cross symbol superimposed on an industrial cooling tower suggests the obsolescence of Ravenscraig.

4. Housing and factories – relating to the brick making industry, this motif reflects the construction of new working premises and accommodation for the workforce.

5. Coal mining – in the centre of the carved panel and central to Motherwell's industrial development was the mining of coal. The symbol is drawn from an alchemical form meaning "pit head".

6. Iron and steel making – readily available resources of coal and iron ore facilitated the development of the iron and steel industries. The motif is derived from an image of pig beds in the foundries.

7. Agriculture and weaving – this image represents tiled ground and links with the development of tenant farming in the area. The symbol also relates to the start of the weaving industry, imitating the primitive form of a ball of wool.

8. Roman heritage – the warp and left of woven fabric suggested in this design of Roman origin. Roman remains have been located at Bothwellhaugh.

9. Railways and transport – here, a wheel symbolises the prosperity and industrial development of Motherwell created by the arrival of the railway.

Parking for this artwork can be found at Motherwell Heritage Centre, Car Park, High Road.

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