The Gingerbread Thief

Today I had to take another trip to the vets with poorly Mo who's done some damage to her leg. It appears she may have been trying out some death defying stunts when my back was turned. She was most likely chasing after the birdies again!

I saw this piece of 'artwork' on my way back home, the inscription above the door read - designed and made by Neil Talbot and Derek Bent in 1986. It can be found in Carlisle Street in Gateshead. After further investigation this is what I found.

A relief depiction of a Victorian baker's shop extending the whole length of the façade of an ex-baker's shop on a street corner. It is carved to a depth of 4cm and constructed out of dark yellow ceramic tiles. Cakes and buns are shown in the windows and a dog escapes from the front door with a ginger bread man in its mouth.

The relief refers to the original use of the corner-shop site. The monochrome yellow 'accentuates the links between ceramics and the baker's produce' and the wealth of detail 'invites passers-by to weave their own story round the shop'. However, it is easy to overlook amongst the surrounding, rather run-down, frontages. Supported by Northern Arts, Baker's Shop is one of the earliest works in Gateshead's public art scheme. The council has indicated that it is due to be cleaned as part of its rolling maintenance programme.

I found the detail and condition to be fantastic, it's well worth a taking a look if you're in the area.