Chrysalis Arts was commissioned by Burnley Borough Council to create public art to celebrate the new wing and facilities being built on Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museum, Burnley. Kate Maddison led a consultation process with staff at the Art Gallery & Museum, and proposed a series of artworks around the entrance to the new wing.

The concept for the artwork was to bring together a number of elements associated with Towneley Hall, and Richard Towneley's contribution to science in the 17th century, particularly his part in establishing accurate time measurement that aided navigation.

The Compass Stone by Fiona Bowley is set in the stone paving adjacent to the new extension entrance. The surface is carved with a compass face that is orientated to True North, the Latitude and Longitude co-ordinates are also represented. Radiating from this stone are a succession of rings in the paving, as if the compass stone has been dropped into an ocean and caused a series of ripples to radiate out from it. The water is a reference to navigation, as well as Richard Towneley's accurate measurement of rainfall.

The Quadrant Seat has two supports that make reference to the Quadrant and its use for measurement and survey. The seat and back surface are hand plasma cut with a ripple pattern, to link with the 'ripples in the paving'. The striking silhouette design in the seats is enhanced if the sun casts shadow patterns across the paving.

Heraldic Glass Panels are a feature of the new entrance doors. The glass incorporates a sandblasted design derived from the Towneley Coat of Arms. The artwork is inspired by the key heraldic elements; the sparrow hawk, the three stars in a band, and the Motto ''Tenez le Vraye". The dramatic interpretation of these elements by Kate Maddison is devised to enhance the drama of the entrance.

The project was launched on 23rd August 2002 and received funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund, North West Arts Board and Lancashire County Council.