TWO ceramic artworks created with the help of schoolchildren have been unveiled as part of a shopping centre.

Pupils helped to create an 11.2-metre ceramic art wall, called Tyne Wave, as a focal point of the Red Mall at Gateshead's MetroCentre, which opened last month.

Artist Christine Constant and Richard Cable, development director of Capital Shopping Centres, unveiled the work.

During the design stage, children were invited to create glazed tiles inspired by their favourite elements of the North-East.

Ms Constant has been working with local schools and community groups over the past 15 years to make tile panels and mosaics around the region and has commissions in Gateshead Leisure Centre, Central Library and The Customs House Art Centre, in South Shields.

She said: "The title of Tyne Wave comes from a wave hello to everyone on a grand, celebratory scale. It also refers to the waving of the banners and the water in the River Tyne."

The second art work is called Tyne Times and is 2.25-metres square, made up of more than 300 glazed tiles. The overall image is based on one tile image created by Zoya Saleem, of the Family Learning Group at Bensham Grove Community centre.

Published: 15/11/2004