River God Tyne (1968)
Sculptor: David Wynne
Location: Civic Centre, Newcastle. Materials: Bronze.
Commissioned for the new Civic Centre the 'River God Tyne' is one of the eight rivers represented on the sculptures on the front of Somerset House, London dating from 1786. The original mask was surmounted by a basket of coals surrounded by a variety of motifs and emblems symbolising different trades peculiar to the Tyne Valley. It portrays the river God in human form, a fountain within his outstretched hand coursing a constant stream of water along the tortured and twisted torso of the aquatic diety.