Relocation of the public sculpture Homage to Sir Thomas Browne to Eaton Park
As part of the ongoing project to redevelop Hay Hill, the Homage to Thomas Browne sculptures, by international artists Anne and Patrick Poirier, are set to be relocated to Eaton Park. The homage - consisting of 20 pieces, including a brain sculpture and a large eye sculpture - will sit in a grassed area in the north of the park, surrounded by grass mounds and a background of trees.
The works were removed from Hay Hill earlier in 2023 to enable a transformation of the city centre square as part of a larger project, This meant that the council wanted to clear the space to enable more flexible use. This was regrettable as the set of sculptures, all part of one work Homage to Thomas Browne, were designed specifically for Hay Hill relating to his association with the area - he lived along Gentleman's Walk with the front of his house where Pret a Manger is now and his garden running along the site of Primark. He worshipped at St Peter Mancroft Church and Hay Hill was his 'patch'. However, in spite of wanting the sculptures to remain in the city centre, the Society is pleased that finally they have a new home and although Eaton Park is not in the city centre, it is a well-used and well-loved park and the Friends of Eaton Park will make enthusiastic custodians who can help to bring the work to more public attention. It has the added benefit of being a permanent stop on the Norwich Art Path - an art trail between the UEA Campus and the city centre, that was put together by the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich Castle and the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in association with Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and the UEA. The addition of thePoirier sculptures will be an important new element for this trail which celebrates Norwich’s active arts and culture sectors.
A large statue of Thomas Browne installed in 1904 and made by Henry Pegram has been placed in a more prominent position on Hay Hill in the redesigned layout and there are plans to include more interpetation about Browne on Hay Hill.
Moving the Homage to Thomas Browne sculptures to Eaton Park will mean that the historic figure’s contribution to learning and his importance to the city is now recognised in two prestigious locations, and it is up to all of us to help to make the most of the move and connections between the two sites as well as other relevant locations in the city and other parts of the country too.
When looking for a new home for the sculptures, the city council prioritised finding a location where the artwork’s significance could be appreciated, and feedback from the public consultation also highlighted that people would like to know more about the artwork - so the homage will be accompanied by a new interpretation panel to explain the meaning and history behind the works.
To make sure everyone can access the homage, a path will be installed around the outside of the group of sculptures. The path ill also clarify the arrangement of the sculptures, which are laid out on a quincunx, a five pointed shape which Browne believed underpinned all natural life. The placing of the sculptures by the artists was something that was not evident on Hay Hill as the various pieces were laid out very specifically, referring to Browne's works and theories , which were not obvious to people who did not know much about Browne's various works - hopefully a more explicit link between the pieces will help that understanding
Councillor Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said:
“A key aspect of our project to redevelop and improve Hay Hill was to find a new location for the Homage to Thomas Browne - it is fantastic that the sculptures will get a second lease of life in Eaton Park, where they can continue to be appreciated for years to come.
“The addition of new interpretation board in particular is something which I think will enhance these sculptures and help everyone learn a little more about one of our city’s most significant past residents.”
Helen Mitchell, chair of Friends of Eaton Park, said:
“I’m delighted the Thomas Browne sculptures are coming to Eaton Park. It’s a mysterious, fascinating and utterly original work.
“The sculptures’ new home in Eaton Park has long been looking for a use. Two crescent-shaped grassy mounds and a small woodland frame the area where it will sit. In this beautiful new green setting the work will really be able to shine and new interpretation panels will unlock the ideas behind it. Friends of Eaton Park are looking forward to welcoming the sculptures to Eaton Park. We’re already thinking about ways to link into it and into the amazing world of Thomas Browne. We share his passion for meadows so this will be top of our agenda.”
What is happening on Hay Hill in 2024?
Hay Hill is one of eight projects in the city funded from the government’s £25 million Towns Fund, which was awarded to Norwich City Council in 2020.
The new look Hay Hill scheme, on track for completion in spring 2024, will include more planting, additional and improved seating, better designed steps, increased open space for cultural activities, improved walking links through to other parts of the city, and the installation of a water feature, as well as subtle references to Thomas Browne and his works.
Nearby St Peter Mancroft houses many Browne artefacts including his grave, a replica of his skull, a maquette of the Pegram statue that sits on Hay Hill and pieces of masonry from his house on Gentleman's Walk/Brigg Street. They also stock information leaflets and a book about Browne.
The Thomas Browne Society have been working with the Council Landscape Team to add some features and interpretation on Hay Hill to raise the profile of Thomas Browne and his links with the area, his work and his relevance to Norwich and it is hoped that we can make this fascinating man more central to the story of Norwich.
The works were removed from Hay Hill earlier in 2023 to enable a transformation of the city centre square as part of a larger project, This meant that the council wanted to clear the space to enable more flexible use. This was regrettable as the set of sculptures, all part of one work Homage to Thomas Browne, were designed specifically for Hay Hill relating to his association with the area - he lived along Gentleman's Walk with the front of his house where Pret a Manger is now and his garden running along the site of Primark. He worshipped at St Peter Mancroft Church and Hay Hill was his 'patch'. However, in spite of wanting the sculptures to remain in the city centre, the Society is pleased that finally they have a new home and although Eaton Park is not in the city centre, it is a well-used and well-loved park and the Friends of Eaton Park will make enthusiastic custodians who can help to bring the work to more public attention. It has the added benefit of being a permanent stop on the Norwich Art Path - an art trail between the UEA Campus and the city centre, that was put together by the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich Castle and the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in association with Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and the UEA. The addition of thePoirier sculptures will be an important new element for this trail which celebrates Norwich’s active arts and culture sectors.
A large statue of Thomas Browne installed in 1904 and made by Henry Pegram has been placed in a more prominent position on Hay Hill in the redesigned layout and there are plans to include more interpetation about Browne on Hay Hill.
Moving the Homage to Thomas Browne sculptures to Eaton Park will mean that the historic figure’s contribution to learning and his importance to the city is now recognised in two prestigious locations, and it is up to all of us to help to make the most of the move and connections between the two sites as well as other relevant locations in the city and other parts of the country too.
When looking for a new home for the sculptures, the city council prioritised finding a location where the artwork’s significance could be appreciated, and feedback from the public consultation also highlighted that people would like to know more about the artwork - so the homage will be accompanied by a new interpretation panel to explain the meaning and history behind the works.
To make sure everyone can access the homage, a path will be installed around the outside of the group of sculptures. The path ill also clarify the arrangement of the sculptures, which are laid out on a quincunx, a five pointed shape which Browne believed underpinned all natural life. The placing of the sculptures by the artists was something that was not evident on Hay Hill as the various pieces were laid out very specifically, referring to Browne's works and theories , which were not obvious to people who did not know much about Browne's various works - hopefully a more explicit link between the pieces will help that understanding
Councillor Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said:
“A key aspect of our project to redevelop and improve Hay Hill was to find a new location for the Homage to Thomas Browne - it is fantastic that the sculptures will get a second lease of life in Eaton Park, where they can continue to be appreciated for years to come.
“The addition of new interpretation board in particular is something which I think will enhance these sculptures and help everyone learn a little more about one of our city’s most significant past residents.”
Helen Mitchell, chair of Friends of Eaton Park, said:
“I’m delighted the Thomas Browne sculptures are coming to Eaton Park. It’s a mysterious, fascinating and utterly original work.
“The sculptures’ new home in Eaton Park has long been looking for a use. Two crescent-shaped grassy mounds and a small woodland frame the area where it will sit. In this beautiful new green setting the work will really be able to shine and new interpretation panels will unlock the ideas behind it. Friends of Eaton Park are looking forward to welcoming the sculptures to Eaton Park. We’re already thinking about ways to link into it and into the amazing world of Thomas Browne. We share his passion for meadows so this will be top of our agenda.”
What is happening on Hay Hill in 2024?
Hay Hill is one of eight projects in the city funded from the government’s £25 million Towns Fund, which was awarded to Norwich City Council in 2020.
The new look Hay Hill scheme, on track for completion in spring 2024, will include more planting, additional and improved seating, better designed steps, increased open space for cultural activities, improved walking links through to other parts of the city, and the installation of a water feature, as well as subtle references to Thomas Browne and his works.
Nearby St Peter Mancroft houses many Browne artefacts including his grave, a replica of his skull, a maquette of the Pegram statue that sits on Hay Hill and pieces of masonry from his house on Gentleman's Walk/Brigg Street. They also stock information leaflets and a book about Browne.
The Thomas Browne Society have been working with the Council Landscape Team to add some features and interpretation on Hay Hill to raise the profile of Thomas Browne and his links with the area, his work and his relevance to Norwich and it is hoped that we can make this fascinating man more central to the story of Norwich.
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This site is part of the Thomas Browne Project with the aim to collate information and contributions about Sir Thomas Browne, his work, life and times in Norwich and make them accessible to the public, edited and published by Marion Catlin of The Shift Norwich
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