Created over a decade from 1991 to 2001 by sculptor Colin Wilbourn and writer Chaz Brenchley, the St Peter’s Riverside Sculpture Trail honours the city’s rich past, with 13 artworks in total.
Over the years, the original trail has been added to, with three large-scale sculptures joining the trail last year alone.
But have you spotted them all? Here’s the story behind all of the artworks that hug the Riverside from Wearmouth Bridge en route to Roker.
9. Paddle Gate, lifeguard station
Made by Craig Knowles, Paddle Gate next to the lifeguard station encapsulates various elements associated with the dock and its uses. | Sunderland Echo
10. Passing Through, bottom of Sand Point Road
At the bottom of Sand Point Road, by the old retaining wall beside the North Dock, Passing Through is a series of stone carvings incorporating stained glass panels. This sculpture, created by Colin Wilbourn and Karl Fisher, refers not only to the past when many domestic dwellings had stained glass windows, and the dock was full of sailing ships but also to the present and future of this area. | Sunderland Echo
11. Sea to Seats, next to Passing Through
Next to Passing Through is Sea to Seats. Karl Fisher made two seats out of reclaimed materials from our shipbuilding past. The work was completed in 1997. There is a plaque on the old retaining wall showing that Sunderland Canoe Club was based here from 1961 until 1994. | Sunderland Echo
12. Flight, Marina Walkway
Walk your way around the Marina, look up, and you'll find Flight. Created by Craig Knowles, a forged steel weathervane set on a painted steel pole rises from a concrete base. Two cormorants in a polished silver finish are shown flying through stylised clouds and the vane rotates above a north-south pointer. Cormorants are regularly seen flying low over the river. | Sunderland Echo