New public artwork for Menstrie
Published on:
15
December 2008
A new public artwork by internationally renowned sculptor Andy Scott has been erected in Menstrie.
Nicknamed 'Fox Boy' the sculpture features a boy with a fox's head sitting on a water wheel. It has been installed in the village's Midtown gardens.
You are invited to send a photographer to Midtown gardens at 2pm on Monday 15th December.
A number of Menstrie residents have been closely involved in the design evolution of the sculpture and while they had originally chosen a design which incorporated a boy sitting on a water wheel, their work with Andy and visits to his workshop has seen the figure evolve into one with a fox's head.
Cultural Planner Kathleen O'Neill said: "It is a pleasure to see that the community, who have met the artist on a number of occasions to explore the public art process, have influenced the design."
Menstrie Community Council chairman Les Sharp said: "The new piece of sculpture from Andy Scott now has pride of place in Midtown Gardens. The figure depicts both past and modern Menstrie life. The boys is dressed in current style complete with trainers and hoodie top, reflecting our youth of today, while the fox's head and tail come from two aspects of village life. There are foxes around us in the countryside, but also it is known that in days gone-by children in the village kept foxes as pets.
"Within the sculpture you will also find a buzzard, of which we have a pair in the woods, and under his rights hand a maple leaf, representing our connection with Nova Scotia.
"As Chair of Menstrie Community Council, I feel we are incredibly fortunate to have our new artwork. We are a small community, and to have a sculpture by such a renowned artist as Andy Scott in the centre of our village is something to be proud of.
Once the refurbishing work is complete in Midtown, we will have a village centre that will be the envy of many."
Andy Scott said: "I am very pleased at the outcome of the commission, and especially the result of the close consultation with local people in the sculpture's design. Several strands of narrative and inspiration run through the unusual form of the work and these were discussed when residents visited my studio during the sculpture's fabrication. My colleague Margo Winning played a vital role in that process and the resulting artwork is a proud addition to our portfolio of public works in Clackmannanshire."
Community artist Margo Winning has worked closely with members of Menstrie Community Council and a group of local young people, helping to demystify the public art process. Many of their original design drawings have been incorporated into the wheel section of the sculpture.
Andy Scott's Menstrie sculpture is the fourth to be commissioned by Clackmannanshire Council. The stunning River Spirit at Collylands and Air Spirit at Muirside are enjoyed by hundreds of drivers every day. His third commission I Can See for Miles is in Alloa's civic square and is seen by the thousands of commuters using the town's new railway.
Later this year Andy will begin work on a fifth and largest commission - a sculpture for the Mary Wood roundabout on the edge of Clackmannan.
Notes to Editors
The local young people involved in this public art include: Nicola Ferguson, Albert McLure, Joni Corsar, Staci Gilchrist and Elizabeth Fuller.