Artwork to be displayed on Whitehaven's recently renovated lighthouses

An application for listed building consent to install public artwork by the artist Susan Philipsz on the West and North Pier Lighthouses in Whitehaven has been submitted to Cumberland Council.

The works comprise fixing a single speaker to the outside of the lighthouses, and installing the artwork control hardware in the ground floor plant rooms of each building.

The artwork called ‘By Sound Near Seawall, 2021’ is a two-channel sound installation. It comprises a sound work, using two speakers and an audio track that plays every hour from 9am to 6pm. The artwork will be accompanied by a sign with information about it.

The West Pier Lighthouse is a grade II listed structure built in 1814. Both lighthouses were recently renovated and the artworks are part of this project.

The North Pier Lighthouse on Whitehaven Harbour (Image: Archive)

The plans say: “The lighthouse building adds to the character of Whitehaven and are local landmarks. They are publicly accessible, they also speak of the area’s maritime history, the rum trade and the areas links to shipping and seafaring.

“The artist’s work of art is also based on this history of trade and seafaring, using the sound of a person blowing into a conch shell.

“We feel the installation of the artwork would draw attention to this local landmark.

“It is a discreet work that is barely visible, and animates these two structures. Cumberland is in a priority area for the Arts Council and the area has a limited cultural offer, there is only one gallery/museum (the Beacon) and one theatre space.

The artworks were commissioned by the council to draw publics to the west coast with a brief for artworks to be installed on the coast itself due to the funding being from HM Coastal Communities Agency.”