A 23-ft high sculpture manufactured in Mid-Wales has arrived at its final destination in Plymouth - cutting an imposing figure as it was towed in by sea earlier today.
The massive sculpture, known as "The Messenger", is the work of Joseph Hillier and was manufactured at Castle Arts Foundry in Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant.
It is the biggest cast bronze sculpture in the UK and is set to be installed at Theatre Plymouth as part of a £7million pound regeneration project. The statue could not be transported to the city centre by road as it was too big to fit under bridges, so it was moved by ship to Millbay docks. From there, it will transported on a lorry along a bridge-free route to the theatre.
Artist Hillier said the sculpture of a young female actor about to spring into action was important in order to "counter the many male statues that dominate in Plymouth and other cities".
"To represent a woman at this scale and in public space has turned out to be a more revolutionary proposition than I had first considered it, at a moment in our history when female actors have transformed the consensus in western society, about the position of women professionally and generally,” Hillier said.
“I see the work of a young and as yet relatively unknown female performer [as] a perfect focus for the faith that we can put in the arts to transform our world in these tumultuous times.”
The gargantuan artwork is set to be unveiled in front of the theatre on Royal Parade in Plymouth in Spring 2019.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here