2-703-188 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

'River God', Civic Centre, Great North Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, c1955-c1980. A detailed view of the bronze sculpture by David Wynne, hung on the south-facing wall that joins the ellpitical chamber with the west front, seen from the south. The Civic Centre was built by architect George Kenyon, and in stages, with the four storey blocks completed 1958, the 12 storey block 1960-1963, and the council suite completed 1965. The structure is mostly concrete, with some Portland stone ashlar on the facade, as well as granite and hand made Broughton Moor stone bricks. The large bronze sculpture of the 'River God' was completed in 1968 by Wynne and shows the god in human form, with his left arm outstreched towards the ground and his right arm reaching back. In the image there is evidence of water running over and around the scultpure, which no longer occurs. The image has been subjected to a restricted field of view and vignetting, which has created the dark circle that frames the image.