Ceramic tiles in Carlisle create flood defence artwork

Ceramic tiles have been designed into the new Carlisle flood defences as part of an art project .

The tiles, over 40 in total, are positioned at various locations along the recently constructed flood defence walls in the city.

Local artists and community groups help design the ceramic tiles which are broadly grouped into six themes.

Artist Alison White from Carlisle chose wildlife as her theme.

Paul Taylor, also from Carlisle, worked on the theme of Carlisle’s industrial past whilst David Boyd from Penrith focused on the organisations who were involved in the flood rescue and support.

Pip Hall from Sedbergh worked with poet Jacob Polley to create water-related poetry designs.

From Manchester, artist Liam Curtin, chose images that show the roof top details and towers visible from different parts of Carlisle.

The plaques are made of brightly coloured enamel and have been designed to look like jewels mounted into the floodwalls.

Alan Dawson Associates of Lillyhall were also commissioned to produce ornate railings.  These provide vantage points through which local wildlife and scenery can be viewed.

Carlisle Riverside Trail

Stretching from Holmehead Weir, Denton Holme to Botcherby Bridge, Warwick Road, the new riverside trail is designed to give an insight into local history and the surroundings.

Carlisle experienced devastating flooding to over 1,800 properties and businesses in January 2005.

Since then the Environment Agency  has spent £38 million on flood alleviation schemes in the city

Download the Flood tiles artwork – Carlisle leaflet and see how many tiles you can find.