'Market Woman', The Forum, Wallsend

Image: © Geoff Holland Taken: 27 Nov 2020

This is the eye catching 'Market Woman' by artist and sculptor Hans Schwartz. Born in Vienna in 1922, Schwartz was orphaned as a teenager when his father died in Auschwitz concentration camp. Eventually settling in England, he became a full time artist in 1964 and was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint the portraits of Nikolaus Pevsner, Joe Gormley and Tom Jackson. The 'Market Woman' was installed in 1966 and Schwartz wanted her to "appear as a tough hardworking peasant and not a graceful girl". At the time of unveiling the work was greeted by a storm of criticism. These days the bronze work is much better loved and deservedly so. This poem, which first appeared in the 2019 book, 'Tyne Anew Celebrating Public Art in North Tyneside', was inspired by this sculpting: DO THEY SEE YOU STANDING THERE: FOR HANS SCHWARZ (MARKET WOMAN) 1 Market Woman Do they see you standing there in that busy forum trading your quartet of squabbling hens a bare-footed peasant trapped in an alien world. Do they know whose nimble hands cupped those ample breasts gave shape and form whose fingers moulded those strong broad hips. Do they know whose rough-hewn bronze penetrates the heart of this northern town. 2 Artist Do they know, the shoppers and the snackers the gamblers and the drinkers the skateboarders and the home-heading workers that Austria was your motherland Vienna once your home. Do they know that your father died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. The poem was written by Geoff Holland For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

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