Sound of the Sea – artist’s impression

A sculpture design inspired by the Isle of Wight’s seaside heritage, natural beauty and the seascape and shore sculptures of the great 20th century British sculptor, Dame Barbara Hepworth has won the competition to produce a theoretical design for a piece to be sited on the Cowes Breakwater in the historic maritime harbour.

Sound of the Sea, designed and named by Year 9 GCSE Art & Design student Ada Kohlmaier-Sims of The Island Free School was considered “an elegant and eloquent response to the brief”.

The judges, chosen for their landscape, design, artistic, maritime and local knowledge all have strong associations with the Island. Joining Cowes Harbour Master, Capt. Stuart McIntosh, were Alan Titchmarsh MBE, whose most highly publicised recent landscaping projects were a response to his Yorkshire heritage and Island life; international award-winning sculptor and Member of the Royal Society of Sculptors Louise Giblin who grew up on the Island and regularly visits family and to ‘recharge her creative batteries’; and Paul Armfield, former Head of Quay Arts, whose understanding of local historical and creative matters proved invaluable in translating the references in some of the more complex designs.

“The Sound of the Sea was one of several possible winners,” said Louise Giblin, “however, the small three-dimensional model had immediate appeal and we thought the name memorable, like Angel of the North, or The Little Mermaid. Its spiral shell-like form was in keeping with the natural sea environment, the white triangular shape would fit in with the shape and colour of passing sails, and the sculpture, when viewed from the sea, could complement Cowes seafront’s built environment, as well as being reminiscent of the island’s shells and fossils.”

Alan Titchmarsh MBE, said: “It was such a rewarding competition; so much ingenuity and so many positive thoughts about a talisman that could become a part of the identity of Cowes. We were astonished and delighted, not only at the number of entries, but also the quality. We have chosen one that we think encapsulates the magic of Cowes as a coastal town and I really look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”

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