Parc Penallta : The Observatory

 

The Observatory stands on the highest point of Parc Penallta, a country park in the Welsh Valleys built on the spoil heap of the former Penallta Colliery.

Built in 2001, in a combination of Corten steel and stainless steel, The Observatory measures 10 metres high and 25 metres in diameter. 

The six supporting arms of the sculpture are decorated with cut-out designs, created by the artist in collaboration with the six surrounding communities of Nelson, Ystrad Mynach, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed, Llanbradach, and Gelligaer. Each arm leads the eye in the direction of one of these communities. 

The designs incorporate images that reflect the heritage and wildlife to be found in these six locations, as imagined by children from the local schools. And there are convenient benches where visitors can sit and enjoy the views, and refuel with sandwiches and a drink before exploring the many features of the park that are visible from this high point. 

The creator of this eye-catching artwork was Malcolm Robertson (b. 1951), an artist who, after graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in 1974, has worked primarily as a sculptor but, according to his website, also created 'artworks and murals within a social and environmental context' and ran 'art festivals, youth training schemes and graduate apprenticeships' while working as the Town Artist in the Scottish New Town of Glenrothes. 

Since establishing his own professional practice in 1991, Robertson 'has successfully managed to create an extensive and eclectic portfolio of site specific sculpture and artworks in a wide variety of materials in the UK, Germany, India and the USA', many of which can be seen on his website. 

I find the fact that his art is 'created in response to people and places, is eclectic in character and sympathetic in scale and context' very appealing, and I always make a point of walking up to The Observatory when I visit Parc Penallta.