Temporary public artwork

Urban Wilderness CIC commissioned artist David Bethell to create a temporary sculpture for Longton as part of The Moony Club programme. His work, The Balance of Things, is conceived as a symbol of hope — an optimistic gesture toward Longton’s potential for growth and regeneration.

During his research, David explored Longton’s industrial heritage, architectural details and historic pottery designs. He was particularly drawn to the decorative stonework found on civic buildings such as the Town Hall, and to the unexpected romantic imagery on Aynsley china — idyllic Renaissance-style follies appearing on pottery made by working-class communities during the industrial revolution.

This juxtaposition between local labour and aspirational imagery became central to his thinking. David writes:

“I’m interested in the imagery and the symbols of ‘hope’ and how that relates to the current town of Longton.”

The Balance of Things reinterprets the ruins and classical motifs found on Aynsley pottery. Constructed from wood, metal rods, polystyrene, fibreglass, resin and paint, the sculpture features a fragmented architectural stack held together by a single supporting pillar. One stone appears to defy gravity — attached only at one side, balancing impossibly in mid-air.

For David, this unstable yet determined form represents hope:

“There is one stone that appears to be defying gravity and staying upright… giving the impression it could fall at any moment. This is my symbol for hope.”

Installed temporarily in Longton, the sculpture invites residents to imagine how places – like precariously balanced stones – can tip toward possibility with the right care, attention and community action.

About the Artist

David Bethell is an artist based in Stoke-on-Trent. His sculptural practice often explores machines, contraptions and objects that suggest the impossible — blending humour, futility, magic and endurance. His works hold a quiet empathy for human effort, questioning how we navigate uncertainty, hope and ambition.