Big Horn, Manchester, Steel sculpture in Northern Quarter, Manchester, England
Big Horn is a steel sculpture at the corner of Tib Street and Church Street that wraps around the remains of a former building. The work stands 10 meters high and stretches 15 meters long, constructed from galvanized ducting formed into a trombone shape.
The sculpture was completed in 1999 on the site of a former Victorian hat factory. It became part of a broader effort to establish the Northern Quarter as a creative destination during the 1990s.
The sculpture marks the gateway to the Northern Quarter and signals the district's transformation from an industrial zone into an arts hub. Visitors today see a work that represents Manchester's shift toward creative spaces.
The sculpture sits at the corner of Tib Street and Church Street in the Northern Quarter, directly opposite Afflecks Palace. It is freely accessible from street level and visible from the surrounding pavements and nearby buildings.
The work integrates the remains of the building that previously stood on the site, creating a bridge between industrial heritage and contemporary design. This approach demonstrates how modern art can interact with existing urban structures rather than replacing them entirely.
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