AN artist engaged in creating a sculpture for the region is to have his work displayed at the Olympics.

Norwegian artist Nicolaus Widerberg has already been commissioned by Northumbria University to create Pillar Man, a 6.4metre sculpture that will take its place in front of the University Gallery in Newcastle.

It will be one of five new pieces in the city that will mark the forgotten underground rivers that run underneath its streets.

Mr Widerberg has also been chosen to site his stone sculpture, titled Figure with Wave 2003, in Athens, as part of an international outdoor sculpture exhibition to coincide with the Olympic Games this summer.

The installation of the sculpture, on the main road to the Acropolis, will coincide with the unveiling of Pillar Man on Tyneside.

Councillor Ged Bell, cabinet member for tourism, culture and sport said: "Nicolaus's Olympic honour demonstrates the international calibre of artists who are contributing to the city's Hidden Rivers public arts project.

"Together the five art works will create a collection that acknowledges the historic, social and economic importance of these burns (streams) and reflect the resurgence in the uses and dependence on the river by the city's population."

Pillar Man, a sculpture cast in bronze, will be set against the white wall of the university gallery.

The figure will be set into a black granite "river", which is immediately above the course of the Pandon Burn, 20 metres below.

Published: 26/04/2004