Website seeks your inspiration

by David Whetstone, The Journal

What is your favourite work of art or architecture? David Whetstone talks to the co-founder of a new website inspired by The Angel of the North.

IN the North East we have one of the most famous works of art in the world but surely The Angel of the North can’t be everyone’s favourite?

A new website was launched this week called thebigpix.co.uk which invites people to submit an image of the thing that inspires them more than any other.

It is the brainchild of Sheilagh Matheson and Helen Spencer, who worked in television before setting up a multi-media company called SilverLining in Newcastle last year.

Sheilagh said: “With The Angel of the North having its 10th anniversary this year, we got thinking about what people’s favourite works of art or architecture could be.

“Although people might say they’re not into that kind of thing, everyone has a picture on the wall at home or a place they’re fond of.”

Helen used to work on the popular Top 100 programmes which explains why there is to a competitive aspect to the new website, put together in collaboration with Newcastle specialist firm Fusebox Design.

Not only can people submit their own artistic or architectural icon to the website, they can also vote for their favourites. At the end of the year, the most popular contributions will be displayed on screens at Baltic, the Gateshead centre for contemporary art where thebigpix.com was launched on Wednesday.

Sheilagh and Helen first approached famous people to blaze a trail for the rest of us. Sheilagh reports that they were bowled over by the response. “Lots of people sent their ideas and we have got lots more coming. But everyone can take part. We wanted this to be a democratic process open to everyone the world over.”

In the past 24 hours they have already had contributions from Greece, Australia, the United States and South Africa. Antony Gormley, who was the first person they approached, did not do the obvious thing and nominate his famous Angel. Instead he chose a 1,300-year-old priest’s oratory in Ireland. On the website you can find out why.

Peter Beardsley was filmed for the website at St James’s Park where he starred as a footballer. A touch sheepishly, he said he probably ought to pick the stadium. Instead he explained: “The thing I love more than anything is the Angel of the North. I love the Angel. It makes me feel like I am home in my native North East.”

Chef John Burton-Race, who owns The New Angel restaurant , also nominated Antony Gormley’s creation.

Author Anne Fine, who lives in Barnard Castle, chose a stone statue in the grounds of the Bowes Museum, comedian Jenny Eclair picked a painting of a poodle, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson opted for Sydney Opera House and Geordie actor Trevor Fox chose the Millennium Bridge – in London! I worry about that boy.

Sheilagh Matheson, who lives in Corbridge, reveals her favourite piece is an old set of drawers which she was going to chuck out but which she now treasures.

To browse the new website, which was sponsored by the Northern Way, an organisation set up in partnership with One NorthEast and other regional bodies, log on to www.thebigpix.co.uk