An exciting piece of public art is to be installed at Pwllheli which takes its inspiration from the town’s sea-faring and fishing traditions.
A sculpture of a fish will seem to dive under the town’s main thoroughfare – its tail will be seen disappearing into the pavement by the seating area near the Conservative Club and its head will emerge over the road by the Mitre pub.
This new installation by artist Benjamin Storch is a joint project by Gwynedd Council’s Community Arts Unit and South Pwllheli Communities First.
The eye-catching sculpture, the first of its kind in Pwllheli, is the result of local people coming together to be creative and to make something that reflects the town’s culture and identity.
The artist held several workshops with young people from the CIP youth scheme, students from Coleg Meirion Dwyfor and clients from Canolfan Felin Fach. A number of designs were produced following the workshops and the public were asked to comment on them before the final plan was decided upon.
The fish sculpture is made of stainless steel surrounded by textured concrete. It has been funded by the Council’s Responding to the Recession fund.
Councillor Roy Owen, Gwynedd Council’s Portfolio Leader with responsibility for community arts, said: “The aim of this project was to give local people the opportunity to be creative and to contribute towards the work of reviving and regenerating Pwllheli town centre. I am delighted that so many people have been able to take part.”
Stephen Tudor from the Pwllheli Partnership, said: “There has recently been a number of projects developed in Pwllheli to enhance and regenerate the town centre. This project is welcomed as part of this effort. It will improve the aesthetics of the area. Pwllheli Partnership is supportive of these projects.”
The sculpture will be installed at Pwllheli town centre on Monday and Tuesday, 8-9 August.
