Facilitator for ‘Raw Quality’ Sculptures at Beton House, Park Hill (Alumno)

Client: Matthew Jarrat & Beton House
Date: 2020
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As Curatorial Assistant at S1 Artspace, based in the iconic Park Hill estate, I was fortunate to act as a bridge between former residents and the newly commissioned public artworks created as part of the latest phase of regeneration.

Being situated within Park Hill itself, we naturally became a gathering point for Brutalist enthusiasts, curious locals, and past residents. Over time, I found myself becoming something of a Park Hill historian — collecting and preserving stories from those who had lived, worked, or spent time on the estate, whether as children, teenagers, or adults. I felt privileged to be entrusted with these memories, helping to capture and solidify personal anecdotes tied to such a landmark place.

With my own passion for music, one particular highlight was meeting Matt Anniss, who visited S1 Artspace while completing his acclaimed book Join the Future: Bleep Techno and the Birth of British Bass Music. His research illuminated how deeply the estate’s history is woven into the fabric of this genre. Through him, I was introduced to Winston Hazel — a pioneering figure in Sheffield’s underground music scene during the mid-1980s. Hazel had grown up in Hyde Park Flats, the high-rise within Park Hill estate, which was demolished in 1992-3.

The interviews I conducted were recorded for reference, with selected quotes later reviewed by contributors and Matthew Jarratt before being transformed into the sculptural works that can be seen today.

A special thank you to Mandy Payne, Joanne Marsden, Clare Maynard, Kate Crapper-Reardone, Howard Humpries, Matt Annis, Winston Hazel, Glyn Andrews (Tuff Lil Unit), Chris Smith (Central Processing Unit Records), Andy Tattersall (Pirate Radio DJ, including Fantasy FM).