Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project

OUTSIDE INN

Region ID

MR

Work ID

342

Manual Reference

MR/OLD19

Type

Sculpture

Title

OUTSIDE INN

Sculptor

Shutter, Tim

Date of design

1993

Year of unveiling

1993

Unveiling details

7 June 1993

Road

Oldham/Manchester Road

Precise Location

Foot of Failsworth Pole

A to Z Ref

OS Ref

Postcode

Work is

Extant

Listing Status

Not listed

Duty of Care

Oldham MBC

Commissioned by

Oldham Metro

Notes

free standing sculpture of pub interior is made from blocks of sandstone. Off centre is a fireplace, on the mantlepiece of which are two pint pots in relief. A lamp is placed to the left of the mantlepiece. Flanking the fireplace is a stool and a long bench seat on which is a cushion. In silhouette the sculpture shows a gable end, a window and chimney.

"Outside Inn",. a functional sandstone sculpture representing the interior of a Victorian pub, was commissioned to mark the 200th anniversary of the Failsworth Pole. It was placed between the existing pole and the busy main road, a position that was it was hoped would help to establish a more definite public space around the pole. Tim Shutter, who had contributed to an urban sculpture trail in Bradford, was approached directly by the Oldham public arts officer to provide the work. The inspiration for the work came from the many surrounding pubs. Tim Shutter's declared aim was to bring the snug of a Victorian pub out of doors, allowing drinkers to be sitting outside yet 'inside'. An important part of the sculpture was the fact that the public could sit on it. 'The style of the furniture reflects the architectural period of most of the surrounding houses and, by using this clear imagery, I have tried to make the seating act as a unique marker for this community and for this particular place' [NB Tim Shutter has sent us photograph]

circa

raw year

1993

Condition

Fair

At risk

No known risk

Inscriptions

Inscription: Unveiled to / Commemorate / the Two Hundreth / anniversary of the first / Failsworth Pole / 5th June 1993 / by the Worshipful / the Mayor of Oldham / Councillor Brian Mather

Signatures

none visible

Elements

Element Details

Part of work

Material

Dimensions

sculpture

Sandstone

size: 160 cm high x 357 cm long x 85 cm broad

Assessment of Condition

Surface Character

Detail

Comment

Biological growth

Structural Condition: nothing recorded

Vandalism

Vandalism

Comment

Graffiti