Lewis plays his part in Atonement’s thank you to Redcar

Lewis Robinson is delighted with the response from local people to his sculpture commemorating the filming of Atonement in Redcar.

Lewis (pictured), a lecturer in fine art and sculpture at the University, was commissioned by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Working Title Films to create the sculpture on Redcar seafront.

Entitled ‘Left Luggage,’ it comprises a directors’ chair, soldiers’ rifle and helmet, suitcases, crates of ammunition, shell boxes and a pile of books that refer to the adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel.

Lewis, from Saltburn, was invited to create the sculpture following the success of another piece of his work in South Bank, Middlesbrough.

He said, ‘I was contacted by the council initially in the autumn 2006. By March 2007 the idea was becoming a reality - to create something as a thank you to the people of Redcar.’

The work was originally going to consist of a panel attached to the railings on the sea front, but Lewis was able to use his influence to create something more visual following discussions with the council and the film-makers.

‘The brief was to create something to commemorate the making of the film. I wanted to create something that was accessible, using forms and imagery from the film set as inspiration. I did a lot of research about the film and studied hundreds of photos.

‘The director's chair is to scale, and can be sat in. It has been really popular. The rifle and helmet reflect the conflict at Dunkirk, while the seagull represents survival. The feedback from people has been really positive, with one person saying it was great to have a piece of contemporary public art in Redcar,’ said Lewis.

Joe Wright, Director of Atonement, unveiled the sculpture prior to the premiere at the Regent Cinema in the town on 5 September.

Lewis said, ‘I really enjoyed the premiere; the scenes on the beach at Redcar are absolutely mesmerising and very moving. The camera meanders on the beach, capturing the atmosphere and picking up the various narratives with the soldiers – it’s very powerful.’

Lewis’s work was recently exhibited at Darlington Arts Centre and he is optimistic that being involved in Atonement will lead to other commissions. He said, ‘It was tough completing the sculpture in such a short space of time and a huge challenge for me personally; I’d never made a rifle or chair before in steel!

‘It has been really exciting being involved in the project and I’m really pleased that it has been embraced so enthusiastically by the people of Redcar.’

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