Eaton Park is new home for Sir Thomas Browne brain sculpture

The marble brain and other 'Homage to Sir Thomas Browne' sculptures have been moved to Eaton Park - because of the revamp of Hay Hill.

The sculptures were installed there in 2007 to mark the 400th anniversary of 17th century thinker Browne’s birthdate.

The brain sculpture in its former home in Hay Hill (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

Browne lived in Norwich from 1636 until his death in 1682.

He was buried in the chancel of St Peter Mancroft. But his skull was removed when his lead coffin was accidentally re-opened by workmen in 1840 and it was not re-interred in the church until 1922.

The artworks, designed by French artists Anne and Patrick Poirer, sparked controversy from the start.

Artist Patrick Poirier with the brain sculpture in Hay Hill back in 2007 (Image: Archant © 2007)

At the meeting where planning permission was originally granted, three councillors dramatically walked out of the decision-making process citing “undue pressure”.

But, after 15 years in the city centre, with Norwich City Council spending £3.2m to revamp the Hay Hill area, leaders decided to move the sculptures, with Eaton Park picked as their new home.

The pieces have been placed between two crescent-shaped grassy mounds and a small woodland area, with pathways designed around a shape called a quincunx.

Mike Stonard (Image: Newsquest)

Mike Stonard, leader of the Labour-controlled council, said: "Relocating the Homage sculptures to Eaton Park has been an important part of our project to redevelop and enhance Hay Hill.

"The sculptures, symbolising the ideas of Sir Thomas Browne who was a key figure of the early Enlightenment and a significant person in Norwich’s history, will continue to bring his story to residents and visitors in their beautiful new permanent surroundings."

The sculptures in their new Eaton Park home (Image: Dan Grimmer)

On Thursday, the Friends of Eaton Park and the city council officially 'opened' the new home of the sculptures.

Helen Mitchell, chair of Friends of Eaton Park, said: “We've grown to love this distinctive and special artwork.

"On Hay Hill, ‘Homage’ was where children climbed and played and where adults sat and chatted or ate lunch - all perfect park activities."

An interpretation panel will be installed at a later date.