Patrick O’Mahony, the founder and creative director of Newsusbstance, has pioneered some of the UK’s most striking public art installations. He is known for ambitious, large-scale projects transforming industrial and everyday settings into immersive experiences.
One of his most notable works, See Monster, repurposed a decommissioned North Sea oil rig into an interactive art installation in Weston-super-Mare. The 35-metre-tall installation included features such as a wild garden, an amphitheatre, a kinetic sculpture with 6,000 moving scales, and a waterfall designed to inspire discussions on sustainability and industrial repurposing.
Talking to blooloop about the project in 2023, he said: “We were always really conscious that See Monster had to have a personality. It had to have that sense of being alive, being awake within the world.
“We hit people as we go through the structure with different moments, triggering different senses to make sure that experience is full and rounded for everyone,” continued O’Mahony. “From the waterfall, with that big roar and that sense of the water, you then ascend to the cellar deck where we had the Cloud Portal.”
Patrick O’Mahony continues to push the boundaries of public art, blending engineering and design to create visually and conceptually impactful spaces. Through Newsubstance, he collaborates with local councils, environmental experts, and community organisations to create art that engages the public and encourages them to think about future possibilities for sustainable urban and industrial landscapes.
One of the people who nominated him said: “His enthusiasm, unquenchable thirst for knowledge and indefatigable attitude ensure he always stays at the very top of his game, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in the industry who hasn’t worked with, or been influenced by him.
“Patrick’s impact is a testament to the power of his unique imagination to bring people together and create truly one-of-a-kind immersive, unforgettable experiences.”