John Atkin was commissioned in 2012 by the Stobart Group, owners of London Southend Airport, to produce a sculpture for the front of the new terminal building constructed as part of its development as a major regional airport.

'Beacon' was sited in 2013.  The form of the sculpture is based on the shape of searchlight beams, with the surface populated by the cut out shapes of three different types of aircraft that helped define the role of the airport both in war and peacetime. Lit internally, the work creates an exciting focus at the front of the airport.

In addition to the main sculpture, a series of 'sculptural' seats were commissioned; their shapes based on airplane tail fins.

Images: ‘Beacon’ by John Atkin.
Photographs: Courtesy of the artist.