[2] The Department for Social Development commenced the procurement process to commission an artist for the Arthur Square artwork in June 2007.

The method of selection was as follows: The Selection Panel was made up from representatives from: The public were given the opportunity to view the designs that made the final shortlist and cast their vote through the Belfast: Streets Ahead website or by visiting the public exhibition at the Lagan Lookout.

The three short listed concepts were : Dancing Tree, Phoenix Rising and Spirit of Belfast.

The competition results were: The sculpture has been funded by Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development.

Details about this intervention, which the artist considers to be an artwork in itself, are included in Bree T, Hocking's book, The Great Reimagining, Public Art, Urban Space and the Symbolic Landscapes of a 'New' Northern Ireland ISBN 978-1-78238-621-6 and in Dorothy Hunter's article "A Public City" published online in the International Sculpture Centre Re:Sculpt blog.