Merseyside, England

The Dream

Giant statue of a disembodied head.

A 20-meter tall artwork that was unveiled in October 2010, the Dream takes the form of a young girl’s head with eyes closed in a dream-like state. With a white, almost luminescent finish, the statue stands in stark contrast to the black coal that lies underneath it.

Visitors are encouraged to check out the sculpture from various angles and at different times of day as it has been designed to change reflectivity depending on how the sunlight hits it. The elongated face give a slightly surreal effect, making the sculpture look like like it was stretched in photoshop.

Designed and conceived by world-renowned Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the Dream was commissioned by ex-miners and the St. Helens Council. Plensa’s other works include Chicago’s Crown Fountain.

Instead of a mining monument, the ex-miners of the region wanted Plensa to build a forward-looking piece that could provide a beautiful, contemplative space for generations.

The sculpture is also supposed to symbolize the positive post-industrial transformation of the area and to become an iconic new landmark for the region to generate income from increased tourism.

Know Before You Go

From Liverpool via the M62: exit the M62 motorway at Junction 7, at the roundabout take the 4th exit onto the A57, Warrington Road, turn left onto the B5419, Jubits Lane, continue along the B5419 for 0.3 miles and turn right into the Smithy Manor pub car park. From Manchester via the M62: exit the M62 motorway at Junction 7, at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A57, Warrington Road, turn left onto Jubits Lane B5419, continue along the B5419 for 0.3 miles and turn right into the Smithy Manor pub car park. From St.Helens Town Centre: take the A570 towards St.Helens Linkway East, follow the Linkway and signs over successive roundabouts towards the M62 and Warrington, at the M62 Junction 7 roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A57, Warrington Road, turn left onto Jubits Lane B5419, continue along the B5419 for 0.3 miles and turn right into the Smithy Manor pub car park.