I organised the artists design competition in 1997 which led to the selection of leading British sculptor Alison Wilding and the development of her amazing concept for 'Ambit', a floating, kinetic artwork in the River Wear on the site of a former shipyard pontoon. Working with the City Council we organised an exhibition of the artists sculpture and proposals at the Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art including a working model of the public art proposal.

When installed in 1999 the sculpture was anchored in place and then changed shape with the pull of the powerful tides and was illuminated at night with underwater lighting to create a fantastic underwater glow in the river which was once one of the busiest shipbuilding areas in the world.

Despite extensive research and design by the engineering team, the harsh conditions of the tidal river started to cause repetitive damage to the sculpture and lighting. Ambit was shown in the calmer waters of the Salford Ship Canal before returning to the River Wear. Ultimately the work was removed and decommissioned by the Council in 2002.