Artwork throws light on Shrewsbury's historic Flaxmill
Look up at the Shrewsbury’s historic Flaxmill Maltings as it gets dark and you might see shadowy figures in the windows and machinery seemingly whirring around.
They are not the ghosts of two centuries ago but a light installation, to mark the end of the first phase of the restoration of the world’s oldest iron-framed building.
Titled ‘As Shadows Return’ the art installation will evolve over the next six weeks, taking those who see it on a journey through time.
Past use of the building, from a flaxmill to maltings and a wartime barracks, will all feature as the installation changes from evening to evening.
Commissioned by Historic England and created by Shrewsbury-based and world-renowned light artist Andy McKeown, it will continue to light up the mill until January 31 from sunset until late each night.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “This installation captures the building’s incredible history and the stories of the people who worked there. From its innovative design to the arduous working conditions, including those of the children who lived in the Apprentice House, the mill has a complicated past.
"As Shadows Return is a dynamic and evolving piece, to take local people and visitors on a journey through its history.”
Alistair Godfrey also from Historic England, praised contractor Crofts for finishing the first phase of the restoration on time, on budget and to a high standard.
Mr McKeown, who has taken about four weeks to create the installation, explained that this was his first piece that he can control from his phone and is also the most subtle of his work.
He said: “As Shadows Return will be my 10th light installation at the Flaxmill, a delicate mix of shadows and light that awaken slowly and evolve throughout the six week run. The installation celebrates the return of the windows to the building.”
Alan Mosley, chairman of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said: “Andy McKeown has a history of lighting up the Flaxmill and it’s fantastic to see him back here to mark this major milestone in the restoration project. Andy’s installations are well known for their innovation, just as the people who built the Flaxmill were, so it is fitting that he has created this wonderful piece for the local community to see and enjoy.”
Among those enjoying the first sight of the art piece were Laura Birch and her children, Nell, five and Sam, eight.
“Some of the children at Mount Pleasant Primary School have been involved in creating the piece and we wanted to come down and see it for ourselves,” she said.
“We will come back to see how it changes.”
Sam said the shadows in the window were “well cool”.
The story behind the Flaxmill site
Shrewsbury’s pioneering Flaxmill was built with an iron frame to prevent the terrible fires that took hold in the mills that spun flax for the linen industry and its factories.
Dating back to 1797, the building operated as a flaxmill until 1886 and then as a maltings from 1897 until it finally closed in 1987.
It was also a temporary barracks during the Second World War.
It used to be referred to as the ‘dragon on the hill’ because of the glow of light and noise of the machinery. It was the largest employer in Shrewsbury and at its peak more than 800 people worked at the mill, including children. An apprentice house was built on the site in 1811 to house them, just metres away from the main mill where they spent long hours working in terrible conditions.
The £28 million restoration project at the mill has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings. Work has involved stabilising the building’s structure, replacing the roof and unblocking two thirds of the windows. Scaffolding that covered the mill has recently been taken away to reveal the building’s exterior which has not been seen for more than a decade.
The restoration of the Grade I listed Main Mill and the adjacent Grade II Kiln is creating a new learning and enterprise quarter for Shrewsbury. The work is expected to be completed in 2021. The buildings are being transformed into high quality offices for the region’s growing creative industries and small business start-ups, to help drive the town’s renaissance as a regional economic hub.
A new interpretation space and café are also features of the new design, allowing members of the public to come and enjoy Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and to learn more about its unique place in history.
Steve Charmley, deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said: “Although there is still a long way to go before it is complete, witnessing the Flaxmill’s journey from dereliction to being a part of Shrewsbury’s economy once again is exciting. I look forward to seeing the developments that the next phase of construction works will bring.”
