Lancaster Flying Carpet Mosaic

Commissioned by Lancaster High School, this sculpture was funded by the ‘Million for the Millennium’ scheme. The mosaic is made of vitreous mosaic tesserae installed on to a crinkled 4mm thick galvanized steel sheet, and is 2 metres wide and 3.2 metres long. Based on a traditional carpet design, the motifs were drawn by local children and symbolise human qualities that would help their progress up the school into adult life. The children themselves suggested some of the symbols: the spectacles represent clarity of vision; the hand mirror, self-knowledge; the light bulb, inspiration. Others were drawn from cultures in other parts of the world: the snowflakes stand for individuality; the elephant for patience; the carp for perseverance; and the salamander for resistance to temptation!