'Organic' sculpture planned for market plinth

An artist is designing a sculpture for an empty plinth as part of an ambition to make Guernsey "a world-class destination for sculpture".

James Capper, who is known for his projects which blend hydraulic parts, industrial engineering and metalworking, is designing the sculpture for Market Square.

Students from the College of Further Education will build the artwork at the workshop on the Coutanchez.

The project, backed by local donors, is led by businessman Nick Cragg, who said: "We're trying to get something into the town centre which is about Guernsey, for Guernsey, built in Guernsey. We don't want to impose anything, we want it to come almost organically from this wonderful island."

Capper's work focuses on what he calls "biomimicry".

"All of my sculptures move using hydraulics, impersonating the natural world, whether it's the walking of an insect or the opening of a flower."

The most well-known project he has been involved in is the Mudskipper on the River Thames, a boat which climbs ashore using its own arms.

He said he had taken inspiration from the island to design the new sculpture for the centre of town.

"I'm here doing the same things anyone on the island would do; fishing by the lighthouse, visiting boatyards, looking for parts and ideas."

"I use a lot of found objects, anything sitting in the corner of a yard collecting rust could be inspiration."

Capper said he was excited to work with local students to create the project: "It's really important that the sculpture is connected to the community. I want to make it here, in amongst the people of Guernsey.

"This project integrates everyone from welders to apprentices to schoolchildren, showing how art and engineering can come together."

The team behind the project said they hoped they could have the sculpture in place this year.

Cragg said anyone with leftover maritime equipment they thought could make up part of the sculpture was asked to get in contact with the artist, as he wanted to use local materials to put it together.

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