The Newquay Monoliths: Modern Monuments Celebrating Communities, Past and Present

Three new permanent public sculptures, The Newquay Monoliths, by artist Robin Sullivan and created for and by the community of Newquay, recall the ancient Neolithic stones scattered across the Cornish landscape used for millennia as places of contemplation, healing and communal gatherings.

These modern monoliths, located in three sites across the town - from the oldest known settlement, the Bronze age Barrowfields to the most recent settlement in the new suburb of Nansledan, via the community hub at Newquay Orchard - will create new communal points of focus that celebrate Newquay’s unique heritage, archaeological past, and contemporary communities. The first sculpture at Barrowfields will be ready to see in July with the other two being installed shortly after through the summer. The project will be officially unveiled on Sunday 7 September 2025 at the Barrowfields with ALMA Field Day, a seasonal celebration of art, music and creativity inspired by the people, landscape and stories of Newquay as the town moves into summer. 

Overseen by Sullivan (they/their), who grew up in nearby Looe, and local community arts organisation ALMA Artspace, The Newquay Monoliths have been made using over 300 direct casts of the town made by hundreds of local people selecting and creating casts of places that held personal significance to them. These casts, now embedded in the Monoliths, capture the textures and essence of Newquay - fragments of place, emotions and memory made permanent and include various geological stones, flora and waste materials found across the town. This process was a result of a year-long public programme of diverse workshops, talks, and field trips with numerous local organisations, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, involved in the unique casting process.

By combining casts made by the people of Newquay into these new sculptural structures, Sullivan and The Newquay Monoliths create a new conversation around the idea that: ‘Yours + Mine = Ours’. This concept takes its inspiration from the spirit of ancient ancestors felt in the Neolithic monoliths and within the site of the Barrowfields, where around 3,500 years ago barrows were built to mark their dead, and how different communities would combine materials from their own lands to create common spaces and memorials. Now more than ever, communities need spaces to gather, listen, and learn from one another. The goal of this project is to encourage these connections, ensuring the Monoliths are imbued with a collective understanding and appreciation of shared experiences.

Sullivan, who places social engagement at the centre of their work, says of The Newquay Monoliths, “The project has been amazing, it’s so lovely to get to know the communities of Newquay and discover the places that hold significance to individuals. Everyone has given so much of themselves - it’s been a real honour to help bring these differing perspectives together within the three sculptures.” Lucy Ward and Ingrid Pop from ALMA Artspace explain of the work, “Being a part of The Newquay Monoliths project has been a wonderful experience. It brings together so many things we care deeply about - art, creativity and nature within our community. We hope that these sculptures, made by and for the people who live here, will become symbols of the amazing spirit of this place. We want people to feel a connection to the process, so we are really excited about gathering together to celebrate the unveiling in July. Robin’s ability to bring people together and communicate the aims of the project have also been truly
inspiring to observe.”

Like a landscape, town, or person, The Newquay Monoliths combine complex layers, anchoring them in and reflecting their origins. The Monoliths will create a two mile walking and biking trail from Newquay’s old town at the Barrowfields, across to Newquay Orchard and then out to the newest part of the town at Nansledan.

The groups and organisations involved in creating The Newquay Monoliths include the people of Newquay; Cornwall Archaeological Unit; Cornwall Council; the Duchy of Cornwall; Experience Newquay; Gather & Grow; Nansledan Community Association; Newquay Orchard staff and volunteers; Newquay Tretherras School; St Petrocs; and Trenance Learning Academy.

Lara Simmons, creative lead at Trenance Learning Academy says of the experience, “When Robin visited us at Trenance, the children and adults alike had a fantastic morning. Robin spoke all about the materials we would be using and gave great advice on creating our one-off tile [for inclusion in the Monolith]. They had a lovely way with the children and adults alike and the children loved creating their one-off bespoke tiles. The children had an amazing time and this is something they will remember for a long time.”

The Newquay Monoliths project is funded with investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the UK Government though the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.