TWO light sculptures showing a divided heart have lit up Oxford’s skyline.

When seen from the right angle, the two halves unite to form a whole.

The artwork, called 1263, has been devised to celebrate the 750th anniversary of one of Oxford University’s oldest colleges, Balliol, and went on display on Thursday.

Devised by artists Roger Perkins and Kay Sentance, the temporary artwork is made from steel, LED lighting and clear plastic tubing and was commissioned by the college under the direction of senior tutor Nicola Trott.

Mr Perkins began exhibiting as an artist at Oxford Brookes University and Blackwell’s Bookshop in 1993 and co-founded the Oxford Sculpture Project in 1988.

Ms Sentance is a manager at Modern Art Oxford who studied architecture in Germany and has specialised in conservation.

Balliol College was founded by John de Balliol, fifth baron of Balliol, in 1263.

According to legend, when de Balliol died, his wife Dervorguilla of Galloway had his heart removed, embalmed and placed in an ivory casket bound with silver.

She kept the casket with her for the rest of her life and it was buried with her in 1290.