Andy Scott is a Scottish figurative sculptor who specialises in galvanized steel and bronze. He graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1986 with a B.A. (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture and Post Graduate Diploma. He has created over 80 sculptures for both public and private clients all over the world. His work of traditional figurative symbolism and art forms can be found in Scotland, Australia, Ireland, and the USA to name a few. His most famous works have got to be the kelpies.
The Kelpies are 30-meter-high horse-head sculptures depicting kelpies, located near Falkirk in The Helix, a new parkland project that has 350 hectares of recreational green land complete with a Visitor Centre which includes a cafe, gift shop, and exhibition space, adventure play park, splash play fountains, lagoon and miles of cycle paths. The Kelpies are a monument to horse-powered heritage across Central Scotland. The visit Falkirk website gives us a bit more information on the structure of these magnificent beasts:
Each structure contains approximately 18,000 individual pieces,
There are over 1.5 miles of steel in each structure,
They each weigh over 300 tonnes and sit on 1,200-tonne foundations
Each structure has 464 steel plates.
The Kelpies can be seen off the approaching M9 motorway that gives you a tantalising view of how big these sculptures are.
Andy Scott public art trail.
I fell in love with the work of Andy Scott on my first visit to the Kelpies and have set myself on a photography mission to photograph as many as possible. On my most recent visit to Scotland I googled where else in Scotland his work was on display and came across the Andy Scott Public Art Trail. I HAD to give it a go.
Andy currently has six magnificent public artworks located throughout Clackmannanshire. This is the highest concentration of Andy’s work anywhere in the world. The leaflet states that each piece of public art and its location was specifically chosen to reflect or tell a local story, unique to the location. And what gorgeous locations they are with magnificent views.
The first on the list was "Journey's End".
Located on the Mary Wood Roundabout (FK10 4LD), Clackmannan on the A907. It features two figures standing proudly on two sides of steel, with their hands bridging the gap. Installed in 2009, the statue was designed to mark the opening of the new Clackmannanshire Bridge. The brief was to mark the new entrance to Clackmannanshire and celebrate the new crossing. The composition creates an archway that frames the road beyond the roundabout leading into the county.
The Clackmannanshire website explains the meaning behind the figures as "The male figure holds a crown, which is a feature from Clackmannanshire's heraldic coat of arms. The female holds a draped circle of 23 stars, which represent the flag of the European Union, the suggestion being that Clackmannanshire is welcoming Europe and visitors from the east via the new bridge"
With most of the artworks being in the middle of roundabouts, it would be best to research where best to park beforehand if you are wanting to take photos. For this, there was an estate just off the roundabout where we parked up and walked back to it.
The River Spirit
The second sculpture on the trail, located yet again in the middle of a roundabout. This one was on the Collylands Roundabout on the B9140 (FK10 3EF). This was in the middle of nowhere and parking was a struggle.
I have read that this was Andy's first public art installation in Clackmannanshire, which was installed in 2007.
The 'River Spirit' depicts a female figure growing out of a trunk base created using a mosaic of steel flat bar segments. Her foliage hands hold woven steel bars in the shape of the River Forth above her head. This river played a big part in Alloa’s industrial past, bringing trade to and from the east and the rest of the world.
Standing at nearly 6 meters tall, she certainly is an impressive sight. The massive response to the River Spirit inspired the local council to commission the other 5 pieces on the trail.
The Air Spirit
Going off the order of the leaflet, not sure this was because of a wrong turn or what but we came across the Air Spirit and so decided to pull over and take in this, and once we completed the trail it seemed like it would be easier than what the leaflet suggested.
Located in the middle of the Muirside Roundabout, B9140 in Tullibody (FK10 3GJ), this one has got the best of views taking the Wallace Monument in the distance. There was a small car park near a church within a few minutes walk of the roundabout.
This is the partner piece to the River spirit and so the second piece of Andy's work to be erected. It features a 4-meter high man striding purposefully with the Ochil Hills insight. Out of all the sculptures on the trail, I think this was the one that impressed me the most which was heightened by the magnificent views and sunshine.
Fox Boy
As we had ventured off the path, we googled which of the trail would be next, this took us to the Fox Boy that is located in the Nova Scotia Gardens in Menstrie on the A91 that was installed in 2008. One of the smallest of Scott's sculptures that I have seen and not made out of the usual galvanised steel that we have seen the others made out of so far.
Fox Boy features a boy with a fox's head sitting on a water wheel. The Clackmannanshire Council website states that the figure "...depicts both past and modern Menstrie life. The boy is dressed in current style complete with trainers and hoodie top, while the fox's head and tail come from two aspects of village life - there are foxes around us in the countryside, but it is also known that in days gone by children in the village kept foxes as pets. Within the sculpture, there is also a buzzard symbolising the pair who live in the woods, and under the boy's right hand a maple leaf, representing Menstrie's connection with Nova Scotia"
Lifeline
Probably the most moving of the trail, Lifeline pays tribute to all the emergency services that put their own lives in danger to help others. From the smallest to the highest of the statues, standing nearly at massive 8 meters high, Lifeline is an impressive sight. Situated in the middle of the Shillinghill Roundabout, Alloa (FK10 1HY), this takes on inspiration, yet again, from the Clackmannanshire’s coat of arms. The raising hand lifts the figures of a woman and child in a gesture of support. The whole stature is full of symbols and influences.
A mother and child are often depicted in figurative sculpture. In this case, the mother's posture is stretched upwards whilst she is still holding the giant hand for support. whilst the child is innocently reaching out but not confident enough to be letting go of its mother.
Stars can be seen around the mother that has many meanings and the child has winged feet. This is meant to be in reference to Hermes and his role as the protector of travelers, appropriate for where the sculpture is located not only in the middle of a busy roundabout but within walking distance of the train station and the very last statue on the trail.
I Can See For miles
The leaflet states ‘I Can See For Miles’ emulates Alloa’s regeneration, looking forward to another exciting generation in Alloa’s history. The sculpture features two figures, an adult wearing a flat working man’s cap and a youngster depicting potential through the next generation of workers, business and opportunity for this young child in the former industrial town. Historically, Alloa was an industrial powerhouse, and through Alloa’s harbour coal, beer, glass and textiles were exported throughout the world.'
All in all this little trip took a couple of hours but on a nice day was well worth it. The only downside is the fact most of the sculptures were in the middle of roundabouts so couldn't quite appreciate them like you can with the Kelpies by getting up close.
I have seen other Sculptures by Andy Scott one of which you can see by extending the trail. Arria can be located just off the M80 in North Lanarkshire. This sculpture is nicknamed "Angel of the Nauld", Scotlands answer to the angel of the north located near Newcastle.
As always thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the photos!
Comentarios