News

Douglas Development Partnership has been granted planning consent for a large sculpture of a gull to be erected next to the lifting bridge in Douglas as a high profile feature to mark the start and finish of the “Raad-ny-Foillan” or “Way of the Gull”, the island’s 100 mile coastal footpath. 

The gull, which will have an impressive four metre wing span, will be suspended from a ten metre high tripod so that it acts as a wind vane.  Wind and wind direction have always been of the utmost importance to sailing ships and yachts using the harbour.  Pedestrians will be able to pass between the three legs, which echo the Manx flag, as they walk under the artwork and “Raad-ny-Foillan” walkers will do this as they start and finish the walk as a symbolic “gateway”.  The waymark signs for the “Raad-ny-Foillan” comprise a white outline of a gull against a blue background and on a clear day the gull sculpture will create a similar effect against the blue sky.  Many of the components of the support structure are standard chandlery fittings which can be found on many of the yachts in the harbour. 

The Partnership's Development Manager Chris Pycroft explains the background to the project,

“When we developed the artist’s brief for project we were clear that there were a number of aims the sculpture would need to fulfil.  The first was that it should be highly visible and obvious both to walkers and non-walkers to raise awareness of the Raad ny Foillan as a leisure and tourist attraction and the fact that it starts and finishes in Douglas.  It was also important for the sculpture to be something that is a unique and recognisable landmark that can be used to promote Douglas Quayside and the Raad ny Foillan and that provides a photo-opportunity for Raad ny Foillan walkers at the start and finish of their walk.  This proposal certainly achieves those aims.” 

The Partnership is also fully aware that the proposal could be controversial and Mr Pycroft is anticipating a lively public debate about the sculpture. 

“Public art has the potential to stimulate strong emotions, both positive and negative, and we recognise that a project such as this, which must have a high profile to succeed, is very likely to generate a great deal of public comment.  We fully expect that whilst many people will love the sculpture, others, initially at least, may hate it.  That is the case with most high profile pieces of public art.  The “Angel of the North” just outside Gateshead, now recognized as an icon of Britain was dubbed the “Angel of Death” by its many opponents in the early days.  In many respects the more public comment that is generated by the piece, the more successful it will have been.”

The artist for the project, Krista Magee, who lives in Douglas, was selected for the project following an initiative organised and funded by the Partnership and the Isle of Man Arts Council where nine local artists participated in a professional development programme aimed at broadening the skill base of local artists.  Four other artists on the programme have been commissioned to design sculptural public seating for the improved North Quay.

Krista explained, “As an artist, a filmmaker and an Islander I have always been spellbound by the beautiful and awesome Isle of Man, in particular the coastal experience with all her elements.  The Raad Ny Foillan Marker was a captivating and problematic brief.” 

“The site on Douglas Harbour is very open and exposed to some extreme elements. Marine environments pose many difficulties when designing sculptures: salt corrosion, water and wind being some of them.  It is important to see through the problems as an artist and perhaps to even harness them and make use of them.”

“Mostly associated with squawking and sandwich pinching, seagulls have an unfavourable reputation amongst town dwellers, but to a seafarer a seagull sighting means there is land nearby.  Wherever you are on the Raad Ny Foillan, there are gulls to be seen, whether you are on a cliff top at Bradda Head looking down on the gulls playing in the natural thermals or on miles of sandy beach at Ballaugh looking out to sea as the gulls bounce in the tides.  Even in the towns they sit majestically on rooftops and lampposts like the angels in the Wim Wenders film "Wings of Desire”.  One thing to be noted about seagulls is their apparent joy of flying.  By design one might argue that the gull flies to seek food but if you watch them closely you'll be convinced they love flying.  A seagull also knows and understands the movement of air.  Even on an extremely windy day the gulls are out practising their skills.  When our umbrellas are being turned inside out the gull is still able to glide smoothly through the air.  I don't regard gulls as parasitical pests; I see them as amazing creatures, resourceful and instinctively brilliant with their environment.  The Manx pride themselves on their independence and freedom.  A seagull seems the obvious iconic image for the harbour site.  If what we love about the seagull is its sense of freedom, then a kinetic sculpture is a logical progression."

Subject to the project being granted planning consent, the £29,000 bill for the sculpture will be funded by contributions from Douglas Corporation (through their support of Douglas Development Partnership), the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Manx Heritage Foundation. 

Images of the Raad ny Foillan Marker Project.

Click on images to view a larger image.

Artist's small-scale model of the gull.

Visualisation of the sculpture in location