Canal Works

Poetry and artwork inspired by the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal

A striking and colourful mural on the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal, inspired by a crowd-sourced poem, was unveiled near the Grade II-listed Bacon Lane Bridge in November. The poem was penned in 2021 by former Canal Laureate Warda Yasmin, who engaged with young writers’ groups from the local area to explore the people and history of the canal. Her creative process included a unique ‘word-fishing’ boat trip along the waterway and extensive explorations of the towpath.

By immersing herself in the natural beauty and rich history of the area, Warda collected words and phrases that reflect the canal’s role in the region’s industrial heritage to weave into a rich tapestry of verse. “I took several long walks along the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal towpath, collecting inspiration, words and phrases,” the poet commented.

“I researched its history and came to realise how integral canals have been to south Yorkshire’s industrial history and the movement of freight.”

Inspired by Warda’s words, Grace Visions, a Sheffield-based artist, brought the poem to life in a newly commissioned large-scale art installation. The artwork incorporates an evocative line from the finished poem, capturing the essence of the canal as ‘upside down sky’.

Grace combines botanicals and bold shapes with urban landscapes, encouraging viewers to consider the connection between natural and man-made environments.

 The project was part of the Arts Council-funded Waterlines partnership between CRT and the Poetry Society, which aims to shine a light on the cultural and historical significance of waterways.

You can read Warda’s poem in full and find out more about the project at bit.ly/canalworkspoem.

This is an abridged version of the article that appears in "On The Cut" in Waterways World January 2025