Jo Chapman

Da Lightsome Buoy 2016

Lerwick, Shetland

Commissioner: The Pelagic Sculpture Partnership

Materials: Cast bronze and stainless steel

The sculpture was commissioned by the Pelagic Sculpture Partnership comprising of Shetland Catch, Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation, Lerwick Port Authority and LHD in association with Shetland Arts to celebrate Shetland’s long association with the pelagic fishing industry.

The sculpture takes the form of a giant buoy, it incorporates drawings and text cast that are cast into the surface. The images and words used were developed out of workshops, conversations and encounters gathered as part of the community project The Fish Van Collection.

The Fish Van Collection toured the islands meeting retired and young fishermen, herring gutters, writers, community groups and schoolchildren. Workshops were held in museums, schools and for the remote isles children in Lerwick. The project collected stories, photographs, objects and mini sculptures that were exhibited in venues around Shetland.

Follow the project at:

https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/pelagic-sculpture-project-shetland

https://www.facebook.com/www.fishvancollection.co.uk

Extract from a dedication by Aubrey Jamieson from The Fisherman's Mission

As we pause, this morning for this time of reflection, we especially remember those who never returned from the sea –those who paid the ultimate price. Lord in the quietness of these moments we remember them and we give you thanks for them.

We recall too, many colleagues, crewmates and friends who are no longer with us. As their faces come before us now, Lord we remember them and we give you thanks for them.

We thank you for the hands that have fashioned this beautiful and fitting sculpture. For the inspiration that led to the initiation of the project. For the partners of the project – LHD, Lerwick Port Authority, Shetland Fish Producers Organisation and Shetland Catch.

For the involvement of ‘Shetland Arts’, of ‘Arts and Business Scotland’ and the input of so many individuals and the advisory group.

We are deeply thankful for the hard work, thought, patience, skill and creativity of the artist Jo Chapman and the huge effort that has gone into the design and production over many months.

We now dedicate it to the memory of the many hundreds of our fellow islanders who have given so much of themselves to the Pelagic Industry as well as remembering those who serve so ably today.

As we celebrate this rich and important part of our heritage we thank you for what has gone before, we are deeply grateful for where we stand today and we look with hope and anticipation to the future.