Talented Newcastle Artist Shines a Light on Future City Themes

Newcastle-based artist, Anna Mud is to deliver an exclusive workspace installation at The Core, inspired by themes of sustainability in the built environment.

The Core has been working in partnership with Newcastle University to commission an innovative workspace installation. The artwork aims to communicate The Core’s unique proposition to the North East and celebrate the progressive community that calls The Core home.

Fine Art Student Anna Mud’s compelling design, which speaks to the North East’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, will be installed in The Core reception area, following a competitive pitch from four shortlisted finalists. 

In 2021 undergraduate students from Newcastle University’s Fine Art department were asked to pitch for the opportunity to feature their artwork in The Core’s busy work and event space located in the heart of Newcastle Helix.

Far more than just a ‘space’, The Core’s mission is to support small to medium size businesses and academic researchers to connect, collaborate, build and grow as they address future city challenges through digital innovation. Students were asked to take their inspiration from this mission and to design a concept that provoked positive discussion and interest in energy systems, low carbon technologies, innovation wellbeing, green spaces and future city living. 

The Core is home to 40 small businesses employing some 400 people across sectors including health technologies, digital consultancy and green energy. It was the first building to be opened on the 24-acre Newcastle Helix site in 2014, and is a flagship building on this unique city quarter, which is a long-term partnership between Newcastle University, Newcastle City Council and Legal and General.

Anna Mud, originally from Oxford, is studying for a Fine Art BA Hons, and is half way through her second year at Newcastle University.  Anna will start work on the installation next month and plans to use dynamic contours of topographic imagery to map the fluid motion of the wind as it moves around The Core and the wider Newcastle Helix development. 

Of the award Anna said: “I’m really very interested in our relationship with the ecosystem and I’m thrilled to be offered this opportunity to work with The Core because they are such an environmentally and socially engaged workspace. 

Public artworks in places like The Core can inspire visitors and regular users of the space to foster a sense of identity and community pride. They can heighten awareness of environmental and social issues, and open avenues for new conversation and community action. It’s incredible to have the opportunity to connect with people in this way in a space like The Core.”

Anna has been awarded £1000 for the installation, which will be displayed on the busy ground floor of The Core (a popular venue for events in Newcastle city centre) for three years. 

Of the commission and imminent installation, The Core Centre Manager Amelia Findlay said: ”The competition was very close and the four finalists all brought their own unique interpretation of the brief. Our community is committed to addressing future city challenges and it was incredibly powerful to see this vision come to life through Anna’s proposal.  Anna’s concept really blew us away and it will be a fantastic addition to The Core’s story. We are delighted to be working with Anna and Newcastle University on this next phase and look forward to unveiling it soon!”

The four finalists are all studying Fine Art at Newcastle University – they are; Anna Mud (winner), Elinor Bryant, Evan Dow and Francesca Rose Arlett.

You can follow Anna Mudd on Instagram: anna_mud or view her showreel at www.annamud.co.uk

We will be reporting on the progress of Anna’s installation through our channels so make sure you connect with us on Twitter @TheCoreUk and through LinkedIn or better still – pop in and see us at The Core!