Last Chance To See

This remarkable work dates from the opening of Bodington Hall, Leeds in 1961. Once the UK's largest university hall of residence, Bodington Hall is scheduled to close in 2013, a victim of the short-sighted attitude of the current Vice-Chancellor and his lust for lucre. What will become of this unique piece when the bulldozers move in?

'Built from 36 rectangular sections or tesserae, a system of perpendiculars occupies the lower section, subjected to a variety of surface texturing reminiscent at different points of scales, crocodile skin and random brickwork. Three related motifs appear. The two situated in the upper area are reminiscent of eyes and mouth, while that to the left combines elements of Moore's Glenkiln Cross with the caryatid. Dalwood has exploited the gridlike divisions imposed by the sections, using them as a network to contain the design. At the same time, subtle curves and semi-spirals break from the horizontal and vertical, occasionally effacing the intersecting lines.' Just in case you were wondering.